This Remarkable Scoring Streak Drives Aston Villa's Improbable Push for Glory

Just eight weeks ago that the young forward stood on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager admonished him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. Back then, as Villa went six without a win, doubts remained if Rogers' form were an indicator or a cause of the team's broader struggles.

On Sunday, however, the sideline response was much more joyous. When the England international curled home his second to reinstate Villa's lead, the boss tore off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The team were on their way to a 10th successive win and after failing to win their opening six games, now sit just three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Challengers?

That’s a rather hard proposition to resolve. Past precedent, the perceived status of Villa, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they have not been completely commanding during this run, while the wins have accumulated.

According to the data, twice all season has the team had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a team that have just won 10 in a row, Villa seem curiously susceptible – yet currently the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy looks like to engage in a shootout with the opposition before hoping their star man to rescue them with two clinical strikes. This was the case at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and once more when facing the Red Devils.

His opener originated from an exquisite effort, bent just inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, the opponents had more shots and more efforts on goal. They have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those matches.

A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent the club have to face as the season progresses. Rogers, surely, will not continue to drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers forever.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is a different scenario whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs may yet return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
• The winger could transform into the performer he resembled in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are due to return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

But then, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine the midfielder by the end of the year would be leading a hunt for the title while looking like a crucial player for the national team.

This winning streak should be enjoyed precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the hero faced the Villa faithful after the match leading the celebrations, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. Such periods do not happen often and must be appreciated.