The Astonishing Scoring Streak Fuels Aston Villa's Surprising Title Charge

Just 60 days ago that Morgan Rogers was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager scolded him over missing a through-ball. Back then, as the club failed to win in six, the question was if Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause for the team's more general malaise.

On Sunday, in contrast, the manager's outburst proved to be much more joyous. After the in-form star drilled in his second to reinstate the lead for Villa, the boss tore off his coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The Birmingham club continued to a 10th successive win , having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, find themselves a mere three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Hopefuls?

This is an exceptionally difficult question to answer. The historical record, the traditional standing of Villa, argues against it. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing during this run, even as the positive results have piled up.

Per statistical analysis, on just two occasions have Villa had an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a side which has put together 10 in a row, Villa look strangely fragile – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach looks like to engage in a shootout with an opponent and then rely on Rogers to save the day with a couple of precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and once more when facing United.

His opener came from an exquisite effort, bent precisely inside the goal frame from a wide position. For his second proved to be a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opponents had more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those matches.

A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent the club will encounter in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling the ball past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players might still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins might resume finding the net regularly.
• The winger might become the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought the team would sit in the top three for the holidays. And certainly back in October, no one envisioned Rogers by the end of the year would be leading a title charge while establishing himself as an essential England player.

The current run must be cherished for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As Rogers stood in front of the home supporters at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These spells are rare in football and should be relished.