This Remarkable Scoring Streak Drives Aston Villa's Surprising Championship Bid

It was eight weeks ago when the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as the Villa manager admonished him for missing a pass in behind. During that period, as Villa failed to win in six, doubts remained whether his performances were an indicator or a cause of the side's more general malaise.

On Sunday, however, the touchline reaction proved to be far more favourable. As the in-form star drilled in his second to restore his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician ripped off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The team were on their way to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning any of their first six matches, find themselves only three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Challengers?

It remains an exceptionally difficult proposition to answer. History, a general sense of this institution, suggests not. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant this season, even as the positive results have accumulated.

As per Opta, twice all season has the side posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a team who have strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa seem strangely fragile – however right now the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic seems to be to trade blows with rivals and wait for their star man to rescue them with two clinical strikes. This occurred at Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and once more when facing Manchester United.

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 slight scruffier version of his first as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.

Can It Last?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opposition managed a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. The team has secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those fixtures.

A reversion to average may well be the greatest opponent they have to face over the coming weeks. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot keep on drilling the football into the net's top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Could it be an alternative path whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures may yet rediscover their best form.

• The main striker could start finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent might become the player he showed during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs are set to return from injury, strengthening a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable the team would be in a Champions League place in December. And certainly two months ago, no one envisioned the midfielder now would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while looking like a vital Three Lions star.

The current run must be cherished precisely because it seems so surreal. When Rogers stood in front of the North End when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.