This Remarkable Rich Vein of Form Fuels Aston Villa's Unlikely Championship Bid

Just two months in the past that the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while Unai Emery admonished him over not reading a pass in behind. During that period, with the team went six without a win, it wasn't clear whether his performances were a sign or the reason of the side's more general malaise.

This weekend, however, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. After the England international swept in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician discarded his coat, spread his arms and roared. The team continued to a 10th successive win , despite not winning any of their first six matches, now sit only three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Hopefuls?

It remains a particularly tough question to address. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, suggests not. Furthermore, they've rarely been completely commanding during this run, despite the fact the positive results have piled up.

According to statistical analysis, twice all season have Villa registered an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a club who have put together ten consecutive victories, they seem weirdly vulnerable – yet right now the margins are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy looks like to trade blows with the opposition before hoping Rogers to save the day with two clinical strikes. This was the case at Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened versus the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal originated from a superb shot, bent right inside the goal frame from a wide position. For his second was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opposition had more efforts and more direct attempts. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean may well be the biggest rival the club have to face in the near future. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot maintain thrashing the football into the net's top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Could it be a different scenario whereby, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players could still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker may begin to scoring again.
• The attacking talent could transform into the force he resembled during his peak.
• The defensive duo are set to return from injury, fortifying a periodically leaky defence.

This could contain the possibility for a sustained push, but they surely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this is a surprise. Few believed the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while looking like a vital player for the national team.

This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the match-winner positioned himself before the Villa faithful at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.