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

A mere two months ago when the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery admonished him over missing a penetrating pass. At that point, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his performances were a sign or the source for the side's more general malaise.

This weekend, though, the manager's outburst proved to be far more favourable. As the in-form star swept in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician tore off his jacket, opened his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club marched on to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning their opening six fixtures, find themselves just three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?

That’s a particularly tough question to answer. The historical record, the perceived status of this institution, indicates otherwise. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant this season, even as the wins have accumulated.

Per the data, on just two occasions have Villa posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a team who have strung together 10 in a row, Villa look curiously susceptible – but at the moment the margins are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with an opponent and then rely on their star man to save the day with some crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again when facing United.

Rogers' first goal came from an exquisite effort, bent precisely inside the post from the edge of the area. For his second proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opponents had more efforts and more shots on target. Villa have won each of their last eight by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those games.

A reversion to average could be the biggest rival Villa have to face in the near future. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot maintain drilling the football into the net's top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists an alternative path where, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures may yet rediscover their best form.

• The main striker could start finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent might become the force he resembled during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering a sometimes shaky backline.

This could contain the possibility of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this is a surprise. Few believed Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial player for the national team.

This winning streak must be cherished precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the hero positioned himself before the Villa faithful at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.