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

A mere eight weeks in the past that the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery scolded him for missing a penetrating pass. At that point, as the club failed to win in six, doubts remained if his displays were an indicator or the source for Villa's wider issues.

On Sunday, though, the sideline response was entirely far more favourable. When the in-form star curled home his second to restore the lead for Villa, Emery ripped off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The team were on their way to a 10th successive win , having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, find themselves only three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Title Contenders?

It remains a rather hard query to resolve. The historical record, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Furthermore, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, even as the victories have accumulated.

According to the data, in only two games have Villa had an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a side that have strung together ten consecutive victories, they appear strangely fragile – but right now the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic looks like to trade blows with rivals and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again against United.

Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, arced just inside the upright from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

Can It Last?

Logic says not. In the recent win, Manchester United had more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has won each of their last eight by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those games.

A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival the club have to face as the season progresses. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain blasting the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists another reality in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players may yet return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the performer he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are set to regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky defensive unit.

This could contain the potential of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this was unforeseen. Few believed the team would be in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely back in October, no one envisioned the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a title charge while establishing himself as a crucial England player.

This winning streak must be cherished for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As Rogers stood in front of the home supporters after the match conducting the cheers, he seemed to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These runs of form are rare in football and must be appreciated.