The Astonishing Scoring Streak Drives Villa's Surprising Push for Glory

It was eight weeks ago that Morgan Rogers found himself on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while Unai Emery scolded him for not reading a pass in behind. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained if Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause of Villa's more general malaise.

This weekend, though, the manager's outburst was entirely decidedly more positive. As the England international swept in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician tore off his coat, spread his arms and roared. The team were on their way to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their opening six fixtures, are somehow only three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Serious Hopefuls?

That’s a rather hard question to resolve. The historical record, the perceived status of Villa, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they have not been completely commanding this season, while the positive results have piled up.

According to statistical analysis, twice all season has the side registered an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a club which has strung together a ten-match winning streak, they appear weirdly vulnerable – yet currently the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on Rogers to save the day with some clinical strikes. This was the case against Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more versus United.

The initial strike stemmed from an exquisite effort, curled right inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of the opener capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

Can It Last?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, Manchester United had a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. The team has secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those matches.

A reversion to average could be the biggest rival Villa have to face in the near future. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot keep on blasting his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is another reality where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward might resume scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the player he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering a periodically leaky backline.

Maybe within that lies the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely can continue to depend solely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable the team would sit third at Christmas. And certainly back in October, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be spearheading a title charge and appearing as a vital Three Lions star.

This remarkable period must be cherished for the very reason that it appears so improbable. When Rogers faced the North End at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. Such periods are rare in football and should be relished.