This Remarkable Scoring Streak Propels Villa's Improbable Title Charge

A mere two months prior that Morgan Rogers found himself on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while his coach scolded him for missing a through-ball. During that period, as the club failed to win in six, doubts remained if Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause of the team's more general malaise.

This weekend, however, the touchline reaction was decidedly more positive. When the in-form star swept in his second to reinstate his side's advantage, the boss discarded his jacket, opened his arms and roared. The team were on their way to a 10th successive win and despite not winning their initial half-dozen fixtures, find themselves only three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Serious Title Contenders?

That’s a particularly tough proposition to address. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, suggests not. Additionally, their performances haven't been completely commanding during this run, even as the positive results have stacked up.

According to the data, in only two games has the team registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a club which has strung together a ten-match winning streak, they seem weirdly vulnerable – but right now the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy seems to be to exchange chances with an opponent and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with some crisp finishes. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired in London, and once more when facing United.

Rogers' first goal came from an exquisite effort, curled precisely inside the post from a wide position. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.

Can It Last?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opponents managed more efforts and more direct attempts. They have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all but one of those games.

A reversion to average could be the greatest opponent the club must confront in the near future. The forward, surely, cannot keep on blasting the ball into the net's top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is an alternative path whereby, rather than luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players could still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins could start adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the player he showed in Germany.
• The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

However, this was unforeseen. Few believed Villa would be third at Christmas. And certainly earlier this season, few could imagine Rogers by the end of the year would be spearheading a title charge while looking like an essential player for the national team.

The current run should be enjoyed for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When Rogers faced the Villa faithful after the match orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.