The Astonishing Rich Vein of Form Fuels Villa's Surprising Title Charge

Just 60 days ago when Morgan Rogers found himself on the Sunderland turf, looking confused as his coach admonished him over not reading a penetrating pass. During that period, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether his performances were a symptom or the reason for Villa's more general malaise.

In the latest match, in contrast, the manager's outburst was entirely far more favourable. When the in-form star swept in his second to restore Villa's lead, the boss discarded his winter coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. Villa were on their way to a 10th successive win , having failed to win their opening six games, are somehow a mere three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Challengers?

It remains a rather hard question to address. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Additionally, their performances haven't been completely commanding this season, despite the fact the victories have accumulated.

As per the data, in only two games have Villa registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a team which has strung together a ten-match winning streak, they appear weirdly vulnerable – however at the moment the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy looks like to engage in a shootout with the opposition before hoping their star man to save the day with some clinical strikes. It happened at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and it happened versus United.

Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, arced precisely inside the post from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opposition managed a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. They have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those matches.

A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent the club will encounter as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on drilling the ball into the top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists another reality where, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players might still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward could start adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the performer he was in Germany.
• The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Villa would sit third at Christmas. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned Rogers by the end of the year would be spearheading a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.

This winning streak must be cherished for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the match-winner faced the North End after the match conducting the cheers, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. Such periods are rare in football and should be relished.