This Remarkable Scoring Streak Propels Aston Villa's Improbable Title Charge

It was eight weeks prior when the Villa attacker found himself on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery scolded him over not reading a pass in behind. At that point, as the club failed to win in six, it wasn't clear whether his displays were a symptom or a cause of Villa's broader struggles.

On Sunday, however, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. When the England international curled home his second to restore the lead for Villa, the boss ripped off his jacket, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club continued to a 10th successive win , having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, are somehow only three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Challengers?

That’s an exceptionally difficult query to answer. The historical record, the perceived status of the club, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant this season, even as the positive results have stacked up.

Per the data, twice all season has the team posted an xG notably superior than the other team. For a team that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans appear weirdly vulnerable – but right now the margins are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy looks like to engage in a shootout with rivals and then rely on their talisman to save the day with two precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and it happened against United.

Rogers' first goal came from an exquisite effort, arced just inside the post from the corner of the box. For his second proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, Manchester United managed more shots and more shots on target. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean could be the biggest rival they must confront as the season progresses. The forward, surely, will not continue to blasting the ball into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists an alternative path where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.

• The centre-forward may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The winger may rediscover the performer he resembled during his peak.
• The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Perhaps there is in that the potential for a sustained push, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought Rogers now would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as a vital England player.

This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. When Rogers positioned himself before the home supporters after the match leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and should be relished.