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

It was eight weeks ago that the Villa attacker was standing on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while his coach berated him over not reading a penetrating pass. Back then, as the club went six without a win, doubts remained if his displays were an indicator or the source for the side's broader struggles.

On Sunday, however, the touchline reaction proved to be far more favourable. As the England international curled home his second to restore Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The team marched on to a 10th successive win , after failing to win any of their first six matches, find themselves only three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Hopefuls?

This is a particularly tough query to address. The historical record, the traditional standing of this institution, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant during this run, even as the wins have piled up.

Per the data, on just two occasions have Villa posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a team that have strung together 10 in a row, Villa seem curiously susceptible – but right now the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with an opponent before hoping their star man to rescue them with two crisp finishes. This was the case against Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more against United.

The initial strike stemmed from a brilliant finish, arced right inside the post from the corner of the box. For his second was essentially a somewhat messier replica of goal number one as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, Manchester United managed more shots and more efforts on goal. They have won each of their last eight by just one goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those fixtures.

A statistical correction could be the biggest rival the club have to face over the coming weeks. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to blasting the ball into the net's top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is a different scenario whereby, rather than luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.

• The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the performer he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually return from injury, fortifying a periodically leaky backline.

Maybe within that lies the potential of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be leading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a vital England player.

The current run must be cherished exactly since it feels so unlikely. When Rogers stood in front of the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. Such periods are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.