The Astonishing Golden Spell Drives Villa's Surprising Push for Glory

Just eight weeks in the past when Morgan Rogers was standing on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager admonished him over missing a through-ball. At that point, as the club failed to win in six, doubts remained whether his displays were an indicator or the reason for the side's more general malaise.

On Sunday, however, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. After the in-form star swept in his second strike to reinstate his side's advantage, Emery discarded his winter coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. Villa continued to ten wins in a row , having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, now sit just three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Challengers?

That’s a rather hard proposition to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the victories have accumulated.

As per the data, in only two games has the team posted an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a side who have just won a ten-match winning streak, the Villans look curiously susceptible – yet currently the margins are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent before hoping their star man to bail them out with some clinical strikes. This occurred against Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more when facing United.

His opener originated from a superb shot, arced precisely inside the goal frame from a wide position. His brace-completing goal was essentially a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

How Long Can This Continue?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opposition registered more efforts and more direct attempts. The team has won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all except one of those matches.

A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent the club will encounter over the coming weeks. Their key man, surely, will not continue to drilling the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists an alternative path in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players could still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker might resume finding the net regularly.
• The winger may rediscover the performer he showed during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs are due to regain fitness, strengthening a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a title challenge, but they surely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would sit third at Christmas. And certainly earlier this season, few could imagine the young forward now would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a crucial player for the national team.

This remarkable period is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner faced the home supporters after the match leading the celebrations, he appeared to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and should be relished.