This Remarkable Scoring Streak Fuels Aston Villa's Unlikely Title Charge

A mere 60 days prior that the Villa attacker found himself on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while Unai Emery scolded him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. Back then, as the club went six without a win, the question was if his performances were an indicator or the source of the team's wider issues.

In the latest match, in contrast, the manager's outburst was far more favourable. When the in-form star drilled in his second strike to reinstate Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team marched on to ten wins in a row , having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, are somehow only three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?

This is a particularly tough query to address. Past precedent, the traditional standing of Villa, suggests not. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing in many games, even as the victories have piled up.

According to Opta, on just two occasions has the team registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a team who have put together 10 in a row, the Villans seem weirdly vulnerable – however at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with rivals and wait for their talisman to bail them out with some precise efforts. This was the case away to Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again when facing United.

Rogers' first goal originated from a superb shot, arced just inside the post from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of his first as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opposition registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has secured their last eight victories by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those games.

A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival they have to face as the season progresses. Rogers, surely, will not continue to blasting the football past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be another reality in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players might still find their top level.

• The main striker could start adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the performer he was during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to regain fitness, strengthening a periodically leaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the possibility of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought the team would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward now would be spearheading a championship pursuit while looking like a vital England player.

This winning streak is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. As the hero faced the North End after the match conducting the cheers, it was clear to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These spells are rare in football and must be appreciated.