This Remarkable Scoring Streak Fuels The Villans' Unlikely Push for Glory

A mere 60 days prior when the Villa attacker was standing on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager berated him for not reading a pass in behind. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained if his performances were an indicator or the reason of Villa's broader struggles.

On Sunday, though, the touchline reaction was entirely far more favourable. When the in-form star drilled in his brace-sealing goal to restore the lead for Villa, Emery tore off his jacket, spread his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club marched on to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win any of their first six fixtures, find themselves a mere three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Challengers?

That’s a rather hard question to answer. The historical record, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Moreover, their performances haven't been completely commanding during this run, even as the victories have stacked up.

As per statistical analysis, twice all season have Villa registered an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a side that have put together 10 in a row, they appear curiously susceptible – however right now the margins are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach looks like to trade blows with rivals before hoping Rogers to rescue them with some clinical strikes. It happened at Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and once more versus the Red Devils.

His opener stemmed from an exquisite effort, bent just inside the post from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of the opener as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

How Long Can This Continue?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opposition managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those fixtures.

A reversion to average might be the biggest rival they must confront in the near future. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot keep on thrashing the football past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Could it be an alternative path where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players might still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
• The winger might become the player he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually return from injury, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a title challenge, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely back in October, no one envisioned the midfielder now would be spearheading a championship pursuit and appearing as an essential England player.

This winning streak should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. As Rogers positioned himself before the home supporters after the match leading the celebrations, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are rare in football and should be relished.