The Astonishing Scoring Streak Fuels Aston Villa's Surprising Push for Glory

It was two months in the past when the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused as Unai Emery berated him for missing a through-ball. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if his performances were an indicator or the source for Villa's more general malaise.

In the latest match, however, the manager's outburst was much more joyous. After the England international swept in his second to reinstate the lead for Villa, the boss tore off his coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club marched on to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win their opening six games, now sit only three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Hopefuls?

This is an exceptionally difficult query to address. History, the traditional standing of Villa, suggests not. Moreover, they have not been entirely convincing in many games, even as the wins have stacked up.

Per the data, twice all season has the side registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a club that have strung together 10 in a row, the Villans appear strangely fragile – yet at the moment the margins are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

The current approach seems to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for their talisman to rescue them with two precise efforts. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and it happened when facing Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal originated from a brilliant finish, bent right inside the upright from the edge of the area. For his second 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?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, Manchester United had a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. They have won each of their last eight by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those games.

A reversion to average might be the greatest opponent Villa have to face in the near future. Their key man, in all likelihood, will not continue to drilling the ball into the net's top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Could it be another reality whereby, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward may begin to scoring again.
• The winger could transform into the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to return from injury, strengthening a periodically leaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, but they surely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

But then, this is a surprise. Few believed Villa would sit third at Christmas. And without a doubt back in October, nobody thought the midfielder as the year closed would be spearheading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a crucial player for the national team.

The current run must be cherished for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When Rogers stood in front of the North End after the match leading the celebrations, it was clear to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These spells do not happen often and should be relished.