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

It was two months prior when the Villa attacker was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery berated him for not reading a penetrating pass. At that point, as the club failed to win in six, doubts remained whether his performances were an indicator or a cause of the side's wider issues.

On Sunday, however, the touchline reaction was entirely much more joyous. After the in-form star curled home his second to reclaim the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician tore off his jacket, spread his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club continued to a 10th successive win , having failed to win any of their first six matches, now sit only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Challengers?

It remains an exceptionally difficult query to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, suggests not. Additionally, they've rarely been completely commanding in many games, even as the wins have accumulated.

According to the data, in only two games have Villa posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a side that have put together ten consecutive victories, they appear weirdly vulnerable – but right now the fine lines are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The current approach appears to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and wait for Rogers to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. This occurred at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and again versus United.

The initial strike stemmed from a brilliant finish, curled just inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of the opener as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opposition registered a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those fixtures.

A reversion to average may well be the biggest rival the club have to face over the coming weeks. The forward, surely, cannot maintain blasting his shots into the top corner forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be another reality in which, rather than luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players might still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins might resume finding the net regularly.
• The winger might become the player he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are set to regain fitness, fortifying a periodically leaky defence.

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

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this is a surprise. Few believed Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be spearheading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a crucial England player.

This remarkable period must be cherished precisely because it seems so surreal. As the match-winner faced the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.