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

A mere two months ago when the young forward was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while the Villa manager scolded him for missing a penetrating pass. During that period, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, the question was if his displays were an indicator or the source for the team's broader struggles.

In the latest match, however, the touchline reaction proved to be much more joyous. When Rogers drilled in his second to reinstate his side's advantage, Emery ripped off his winter coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club were on their way to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win any of their first six matches, find themselves just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?

It remains a particularly tough proposition to address. History, the perceived status of the club, indicates otherwise. Additionally, their performances haven't been completely commanding in many games, while the positive results have accumulated.

According to the data, in only two games has the team registered an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a team that have put together ten consecutive victories, the Villans look curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with some clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again versus United.

The initial strike came from a brilliant finish, bent just inside the upright from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, Manchester United registered more shots and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those matches.

A reversion to average may well be the most significant challenge Villa must confront over the coming weeks. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot keep on blasting the football into the top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is a different scenario whereby, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures could still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward could start scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the performer he showed during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to return from injury, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a genuine bid, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt two months ago, no one envisioned the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.

This winning streak must be cherished precisely because it appears so improbable. As the hero stood in front of the home supporters after the match leading the celebrations, he appeared to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. Such periods are rare in football and must be appreciated.