This Remarkable Rich Vein of Form Fuels The Villans' Unlikely Push for Glory

A mere 60 days in the past that the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager scolded him for not reading a pass in behind. At that point, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his performances were a sign or the source for the team's broader struggles.

On Sunday, though, the touchline reaction was much more joyous. When the England international curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his coat, opened his arms and bellowed. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win their opening six matches, now sit a mere three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Challengers?

That’s an exceptionally difficult query to address. Past precedent, the traditional standing of Villa, suggests not. Additionally, their performances haven't been wholly dominant this season, despite the fact the wins have accumulated.

As per statistical analysis, in only two games has the side posted an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a team who have just won ten consecutive victories, they appear weirdly vulnerable – however right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic seems to be to exchange chances with an opponent before hoping their star man to save the day with some clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and it happened when facing the Red Devils.

The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, arced right inside the upright from the edge of the area. For his second proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of the opener capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opposition had a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all except one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival they must confront in the near future. Rogers, surely, will not continue to thrashing the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists a different scenario whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs could still find their top level.

• The main striker could start finding the net regularly.
• The winger may rediscover the player he resembled during his peak.
• The defensive duo are due to regain fitness, fortifying a sometimes shaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a crucial player for the national team.

The current run must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. As Rogers stood in front of the home supporters after the match orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. Such periods are rare in football and must be appreciated.