This Remarkable Rich Vein of Form Fuels Aston Villa's Improbable Championship Bid

It was two months in the past when the Villa attacker found himself on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while his coach admonished him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. Back then, with the team went six without a win, the question was whether Rogers' form were a sign or the source 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 brace-sealing goal to restore the lead for Villa, the boss ripped off his coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The team were on their way to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, find themselves just three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Challengers?

It remains a rather hard question to address. History, the traditional standing of this institution, suggests not. Furthermore, they have not been completely commanding in many games, while the victories have piled up.

According to statistical analysis, in only two games has the side had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a club which has strung together 10 in a row, Villa appear strangely fragile – yet currently the margins are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on Rogers to save the day with some precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened when facing the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a brilliant finish, curled precisely inside the post from a wide position. His brace-completing goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of his first as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opposition managed more efforts and more shots on target. Villa have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those games.

A reversion to average might be the greatest opponent Villa must confront over the coming weeks. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot keep on thrashing the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is another reality in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players could still return to peak condition.

• The main striker could start adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the performer he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are due to regain fitness, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable backline.

This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine the midfielder by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title and appearing as a vital player for the national team.

The current run must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. When Rogers faced the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, it was clear to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.