This Remarkable Rich Vein of Form Drives The Villans' Unlikely Push for Glory

It was 60 days in the past that the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager berated him for not reading a pass in behind. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his displays were an indicator or the reason of Villa's wider issues.

In the latest match, however, the sideline response proved to be far more favourable. After the in-form star curled home his second strike to restore Villa's lead, Emery tore off his jacket, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa marched on to ten wins in a row and after failing to win any of their first six matches, find themselves only three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Challengers?

This is a particularly tough question to answer. History, the traditional standing of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing this season, while the wins have piled up.

Per statistical analysis, twice all season has the side had an xG more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a club who have strung together 10 in a row, they seem strangely fragile – but right now the margins are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic seems to be to exchange chances with the opposition and wait for their star man to save the day with two clinical strikes. It happened at Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more versus Manchester United.

His opener stemmed from an exquisite effort, bent precisely inside the post from the corner of the box. For his second was essentially a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, Manchester United managed more efforts and more direct attempts. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all but one of those matches.

A reversion to average might be the most significant challenge they must confront in the near future. Rogers, in all likelihood, will not continue to thrashing the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is an alternative path whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players may yet return to peak condition.

• The main striker may begin to scoring again.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the player he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, fortifying a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the seeds for a sustained push, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

However, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt back in October, nobody thought the young forward now would be spearheading a title charge and appearing as an essential England player.

This remarkable period must be cherished for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As Rogers positioned himself before the North End after the match conducting the cheers, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These spells do not happen often and should be relished.