The Astonishing Scoring Streak Fuels Aston Villa's Surprising Championship Bid

A mere 60 days prior that the Villa attacker found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager scolded him over not reading a pass in behind. Back then, with the team went six without a win, it wasn't clear if his displays were an indicator or a cause of the side's broader struggles.

In the latest match, however, the sideline response proved to be far more favourable. When the in-form star swept in his second to reclaim Villa's lead, the boss tore off his coat, threw his arms wide and roared. Villa were on their way to a 10th successive win , having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, now sit only three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Hopefuls?

That’s a particularly tough query to answer. The historical record, the traditional standing of the club, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they've rarely been completely commanding in many games, even as the victories have accumulated.

Per the data, on just two occasions has the side posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a side that have strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa look strangely fragile – yet currently the fine lines are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic looks like to engage in a shootout with an opponent and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with some clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and once more against the Red Devils.

The initial strike stemmed from a superb shot, arced right inside the upright from the edge of the area. For his second proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, Manchester United registered a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. They have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all except one of those matches.

Regression to the mean may well be the biggest rival the club will encounter in the near future. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on blasting the ball into the net's top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is an alternative path whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players may yet find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
• The winger might become the force he showed in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually come back from the treatment room, strengthening a periodically leaky defensive unit.

This could contain the seeds of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, this is a surprise. Nobody thought the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, no one envisioned Rogers as the year closed would be leading a hunt for the title and appearing as an essential Three Lions star.

The current run must be cherished for the very reason that it appears so improbable. When Rogers faced the North End when the game ended conducting the cheers, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These spells are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.