This Remarkable Rich Vein of Form Propels Aston Villa's Surprising Title Charge

A mere eight weeks in the past that the young forward stood on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while his coach admonished him over missing a pass in behind. During that period, as the club went six without a win, the question was whether his displays were a sign or the source for the side's broader struggles.

In the latest match, in contrast, the sideline response proved to be decidedly more positive. After the in-form star curled home his second to restore his side's advantage, the boss ripped off his coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The team were on their way to a 10th successive win and having failed to win their initial half-dozen games, are somehow a mere three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Serious Challengers?

It remains a particularly tough proposition to address. The historical record, the perceived status of this institution, suggests not. Additionally, they've rarely been wholly dominant this season, while the wins have accumulated.

According to statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the side posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a club which has put together 10 in a row, the Villans look strangely fragile – yet at the moment the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy looks like to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on their star man to save the day with a couple of clinical strikes. This occurred away to Leeds, it transpired in London, and it happened when facing Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal came from an exquisite effort, curled just inside the upright from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

Can It Last?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opponents registered more efforts and more direct attempts. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean might be the biggest rival they must confront in the near future. Their key man, almost certainly, will not continue to thrashing the ball past despairing goalkeepers forever.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is another reality in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins could start finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the force he was in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to regain fitness, bolstering a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the possibility of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine the midfielder now would be spearheading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a crucial Three Lions star.

This winning streak must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. As the hero positioned himself before the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These spells do not happen often and should be relished.