This Remarkable Scoring Streak Fuels Villa's Improbable Championship Bid

It was 60 days ago that the Villa attacker stood on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery berated him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. During that period, as Villa went six without a win, the question was if his performances were a sign or a cause of Villa's broader struggles.

In the latest match, however, the sideline response proved to be far more favourable. After the in-form star drilled in his second strike to reclaim the lead for Villa, Emery tore off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The team were on their way to a 10th successive win , after failing to win their initial half-dozen games, find themselves a mere three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Hopefuls?

That’s a particularly tough question to address. History, the traditional standing of this institution, suggests not. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing during this run, even as the positive results have accumulated.

According to statistical analysis, on just two occasions have Villa registered an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a side that have strung together 10 in a row, Villa seem strangely fragile – yet currently the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and then rely on their star man to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. It happened against Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and once more when facing Manchester United.

The initial strike originated from an exquisite effort, arced just inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. For his second acted as a somewhat messier replica of goal number one as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opposition had more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those fixtures.

A reversion to average could be the most significant challenge they have to face in the near future. Rogers, surely, cannot maintain drilling the ball into the net's top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is another reality whereby, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures could still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho might become the performer he resembled during his peak.
• The defensive duo are due to return from injury, bolstering a periodically leaky defensive unit.

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

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought the midfielder as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a vital player for the national team.

This winning streak should be enjoyed precisely because it appears so improbable. As the hero faced the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.