This Remarkable Scoring Streak Fuels Aston Villa's Unlikely Push for Glory

It was eight weeks prior that the Villa attacker stood on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery scolded him for not reading a penetrating pass. During that period, as the club went six without a win, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were a symptom or the source for the side's wider issues.

This weekend, in contrast, the touchline reaction proved to be far more favourable. When Rogers swept in his second to reinstate his side's advantage, the boss ripped off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. Villa continued to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win any of their first six fixtures, find themselves only three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Challengers?

It remains a rather hard query to answer. The historical record, the perceived status of this institution, suggests not. Additionally, they have not been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the wins have piled up.

Per the data, twice all season has the side posted an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a club that have strung together ten consecutive victories, the Villans seem weirdly vulnerable – but right now the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach looks like to exchange chances with rivals and wait for Rogers to save the day with a couple of precise efforts. This occurred against Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened when facing Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a superb shot, bent right inside the post from a wide position. The follow-up goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, Manchester United had a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those fixtures.

A reversion to average could be the biggest rival they must confront as the season progresses. Their key man, surely, will not continue to blasting his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs may yet return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the player he resembled in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are set to regain fitness, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought the team would sit in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt two months ago, nobody thought the midfielder by the end of the year would be leading a championship pursuit while looking like a vital player for the national team.

This winning streak must be cherished precisely because it seems so surreal. When the hero faced the home supporters after the match orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.