The Astonishing Golden Spell Drives Villa's Unlikely Title Charge

Just 60 days prior when the young forward found himself on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager scolded him over not reading a pass in behind. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his performances were an indicator or the reason for Villa's broader struggles.

In the latest match, however, the sideline response was much more joyous. When the in-form star curled home his second strike to reinstate Villa's lead, Emery tore off his coat, spread his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row and having failed to win any of their first six matches, find themselves only three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Title Contenders?

It remains a rather hard query to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Additionally, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the wins have accumulated.

Per Opta, twice all season have Villa posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a side which has strung together 10 in a row, the Villans appear weirdly vulnerable – however at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy appears to be to exchange chances with an opponent before hoping their talisman to save the day with a couple of clinical strikes. This occurred away to Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and again versus the Red Devils.

The initial strike came from a brilliant finish, arced precisely inside the post from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, the opponents had more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those matches.

A reversion to average could be the greatest opponent the club must confront as the season progresses. Their key man, in all likelihood, will not continue to drilling the ball into the top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Could it be an alternative path whereby, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players could still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins might resume adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the force he was in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to regain fitness, fortifying a periodically leaky backline.

Maybe within that lies the possibility of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, this is a surprise. Nobody thought the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, few could imagine Rogers now would be leading a title charge and appearing as an essential player for the national team.

This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. When the match-winner faced the North End when the game ended leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.