This Remarkable Scoring Streak Fuels Villa's Improbable Title Charge

It was two months prior when Morgan Rogers stood on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery berated him for not reading a penetrating pass. Back then, with the team went six without a win, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were an indicator or the source for Villa's broader struggles.

This weekend, however, the sideline response was entirely decidedly more positive. After the England international drilled in his second to restore his side's advantage, Emery discarded his winter coat, spread his arms and bellowed. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win any of their first six games, are somehow a mere three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Hopefuls?

This is an exceptionally difficult query to resolve. The historical record, the perceived status of the club, suggests not. Furthermore, they have not been wholly dominant this season, despite the fact the wins have stacked up.

According to Opta, twice all season has the team registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a club who have just won a ten-match winning streak, they look weirdly vulnerable – however currently the margins are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy appears to be to exchange chances with the opposition before hoping their talisman to bail them out with some precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and once more versus the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal originated from a superb shot, arced right inside the upright from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal acted as a slight scruffier version of the opener capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opposition registered more efforts and more shots on target. The team has won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those games.

A reversion to average could be the most significant challenge Villa will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain thrashing his shots into the top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs may yet return to peak condition.

• The main striker may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent could transform into the force he showed during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually return from injury, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable backline.

This could contain the seeds of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And certainly earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential England player.

This winning streak should be enjoyed exactly since it feels so unlikely. When Rogers faced the North End at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. Such periods do not happen often and must be appreciated.