This Remarkable Scoring Streak Drives Aston Villa's Improbable Push for Glory

Just 60 days ago when the young forward found himself on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while the Villa manager scolded him for not reading a pass in behind. Back then, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were an indicator or the source of the team's wider issues.

This weekend, though, the touchline reaction proved to be far more favourable. As the in-form star curled home his second strike to reclaim his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club were on their way to a tenth straight victory and despite not winning any of their first six games, find themselves a mere three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Serious Title Contenders?

This is a particularly tough proposition to address. Past precedent, the perceived status of this institution, suggests not. Moreover, they have not been completely commanding during this run, despite the fact the victories have stacked up.

Per statistical analysis, in only two games have Villa registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a club who have just won ten consecutive victories, they look curiously susceptible – but currently the margins are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The current approach seems to be to exchange chances with rivals and wait for Rogers to rescue them with a couple of precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again versus United.

His opener came from an exquisite effort, arced right inside the upright from a wide position. The follow-up goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, the opposition had a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those matches.

A reversion to average could be the biggest rival Villa have to face in the near future. Their key man, almost certainly, will not continue to drilling his shots past despairing goalkeepers forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists an alternative path where, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs might still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent might become the performer he resembled during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

This could contain the potential of a title challenge, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this was unforeseen. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, few could imagine Rogers by the end of the year would be leading a championship pursuit and appearing as an essential England player.

This remarkable period is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. When the hero faced the Villa faithful after the match orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These runs of form are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.