The Astonishing Rich Vein of Form Drives Aston Villa's Surprising Championship Bid

It was two months in the past that Morgan Rogers was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as his coach admonished him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. At that point, with the team went six without a win, it wasn't clear whether his displays were an indicator or the reason of Villa's wider issues.

This weekend, however, the manager's outburst proved to be much more joyous. As the England international swept in his brace-sealing goal to restore Villa's lead, the boss tore off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The team continued to ten wins in a row and after failing to win any of their first six games, now sit only three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Title Contenders?

This is a rather hard proposition to address. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Additionally, they have not been wholly dominant this season, while the positive results have accumulated.

Per Opta, in only two games has the side had an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a club who have strung together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans seem strangely fragile – yet currently the margins are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy seems to be to trade blows with the opposition and wait for their talisman to rescue them with two clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it transpired in London, and once more against the Red Devils.

His opener came from an exquisite effort, curled right inside the post from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal was essentially a somewhat messier replica of goal number one as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opposition had a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those matches.

Regression to the mean may well be the most significant challenge Villa will encounter in the near future. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to drilling the ball into the net's top corner forever.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is an alternative path where, rather than luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs could still find their top level.

• The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent might become the force he was in Germany.
• The defensive duo are set to return from injury, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.

This could contain the possibility of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this was unforeseen. Few believed the team would sit in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward now would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while looking like a vital player for the national team.

The current run must be cherished for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When the hero faced the Villa faithful after the match leading the celebrations, he appeared to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These spells do not happen often and should be relished.