This Remarkable Scoring Streak Fuels Villa's Unlikely Title Charge

It was eight weeks in the past when Morgan Rogers was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while his coach scolded him for not reading a through-ball. Back then, as the club went six without a win, it wasn't clear if his displays were an indicator or the reason of the team's broader struggles.

This weekend, in contrast, the sideline response was decidedly more positive. When the in-form star swept in his second to restore the lead for Villa, the boss tore off his jacket, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The team continued to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win any of their first six matches, now sit a mere three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Challengers?

This is a rather hard question to address. The historical record, the traditional standing of Villa, indicates otherwise. Moreover, their performances haven't been entirely convincing this season, despite the fact the positive results have piled up.

According to the data, in only two games has the team posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a club who have put together ten consecutive victories, they appear strangely fragile – yet right now the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy appears to be to trade blows with the opposition before hoping Rogers to bail them out with some precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and it happened when facing Manchester United.

The initial strike came from a brilliant finish, arced right 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.

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, Manchester United registered a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those fixtures.

A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge Villa must confront as the season progresses. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot keep on blasting the ball into the net's top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists another reality in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs may yet rediscover their best form.

• The main striker may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to return from injury, strengthening a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this is a surprise. Few believed the team would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine Rogers now would be leading a title charge while establishing himself as a crucial player for the national team.

The current run should be enjoyed precisely because it appears so improbable. When the hero stood in front of the Villa faithful at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he appeared to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.