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

It was eight weeks prior that the young forward found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while his coach berated him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. During that period, with the team went six without a win, the question was whether his displays were a symptom or the reason of the team's wider issues.

This weekend, though, the touchline reaction was entirely much more joyous. After the England international drilled in his second to reclaim his side's advantage, the boss ripped off his coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The Birmingham club were on their way to a 10th successive win and having failed to win their opening six matches, now sit just three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Title Contenders?

This is a rather hard query to address. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, suggests not. Furthermore, their performances haven't been completely commanding in many games, despite the fact the victories have piled up.

According to statistical analysis, twice all season has the side registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a club who have just won 10 in a row, they seem strangely fragile – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy seems to be to exchange chances with an opponent before hoping Rogers to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. This was the case at Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened versus Manchester United.

His opener originated from a brilliant finish, arced right inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. Against United, the opposition registered more efforts and more shots on target. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those matches.

A statistical correction might be the greatest opponent the club must confront over the coming weeks. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on thrashing the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists another reality whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs might still find their top level.

• The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
• The winger may rediscover the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo will eventually return from injury, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the possibility for a sustained push, but they surely cannot keep relying on one man.

Savoring the Moment

But then, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, no one envisioned Rogers as the year closed would be leading a hunt for the title while looking like an essential England player.

This winning streak must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. When the hero stood in front of the home supporters when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These spells are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.