The Astonishing Scoring Streak Drives Aston Villa's Improbable Championship Bid

It was 60 days ago when Morgan Rogers found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while his coach berated him over not reading a through-ball. At that point, as Villa went six without a win, doubts remained whether his displays were a symptom or a cause of the team's more general malaise.

On Sunday, though, the touchline reaction proved to be decidedly more positive. As Rogers drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa continued to ten wins in a row and despite not winning their initial half-dozen games, are somehow just three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Title Contenders?

That’s a particularly tough question to answer. The historical record, a general sense of Villa, argues against it. Additionally, they have not been entirely convincing this season, despite the fact the positive results have accumulated.

As per Opta, twice all season has the side had an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a side which has put together 10 in a row, they look weirdly vulnerable – yet currently the margins are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach looks like to engage in a shootout with rivals and then rely on their star man to bail them out with some clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and it happened when facing Manchester United.

The initial strike originated from a superb shot, arced just inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

How Long Can This Continue?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opponents registered more efforts and more shots on target. Villa have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.

A reversion to average may well be the biggest rival the club must confront over the coming weeks. Rogers, surely, will not continue to thrashing the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Could it be an alternative path in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures might still return to peak condition.

• The main striker could start adding to his goal tally.
• The winger might become the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are set to regain fitness, fortifying a periodically leaky defensive unit.

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

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would be third at Christmas. And certainly two months ago, nobody thought Rogers as the year closed would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial Three Lions star.

This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When Rogers stood in front of the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.