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

It was two months in the past when Morgan Rogers stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as the Villa manager berated him for not reading a penetrating pass. During that period, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his displays were an indicator or the reason of the team's wider issues.

This weekend, however, the sideline response was entirely far more favourable. When the England international drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician tore off his winter coat, spread his arms and roared. The team were on their way to ten wins in a row , despite not winning their initial half-dozen games, are somehow only three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Title Contenders?

That’s a rather hard proposition to answer. The historical record, the traditional standing of Villa, argues against it. Additionally, they have not been entirely convincing this season, even as the positive results have accumulated.

Per Opta, in only two games has the team posted an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a club who have strung together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans seem weirdly vulnerable – however currently the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

The current approach looks like to exchange chances with an opponent and then rely on Rogers to bail them out with some crisp finishes. It happened away to Leeds, it transpired in London, and again when facing the Red Devils.

The initial strike originated from a superb shot, arced just inside the goal frame from a wide position. For his second proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opponents had more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those fixtures.

A reversion to average might be the biggest rival they must confront in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot keep on drilling his shots past despairing goalkeepers forever.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is another reality in which, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures could still return to peak condition.

• The main striker might resume finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the player he resembled during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs are set to return from injury, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.

This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on one man.

Savoring the Moment

However, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely two months ago, few could imagine Rogers by the end of the year would be spearheading a title charge and appearing as an essential player for the national team.

This winning streak must be cherished precisely because it seems so surreal. When the match-winner stood in front of the Villa faithful at the final whistle conducting the cheers, it was clear to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.