🔗 Share this article The Astonishing Scoring Streak Fuels The Villans' Surprising Title Charge A mere 60 days in the past when the Villa attacker stood on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery berated him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. During that period, as the club endured a six-game winless run, the question was if his performances were an indicator or a cause for the side's broader struggles. “When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.” A Touchline Reaction of Elation This weekend, in contrast, the touchline reaction was decidedly more positive. As the England international swept in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician tore off his coat, spread his arms and bellowed. The team continued to a 10th successive win and having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, are somehow just three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal. Is Aston Villa Genuine Title Contenders? That’s a particularly tough proposition to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, suggests not. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant this season, even as the wins have accumulated. Per statistical analysis, twice all season have Villa registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a team that have put together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans appear weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are swinging for them. The Winning Formula Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for their talisman to save the day with two clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and once more versus Manchester United. His opener originated from a superb shot, curled precisely inside the upright from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off. “Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.” An Unstoppable Force Is It Sustainable? Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opposition had more efforts and more direct attempts. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those matches. A reversion to average might be the greatest opponent they have to face as the season progresses. Their key man, almost certainly, will not continue to blasting the ball into the top corner indefinitely. A Case for Belief Maybe there exists another reality where, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still return to peak condition. Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again. The winger might become the performer he showed at Borussia Dortmund. The injured centre-backs are set to come back from the treatment room, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit. Perhaps there is in that the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely cannot keep relying on one man. Enjoying the Ride Yet, this is a surprise. Few believed Villa would sit third at Christmas. And without a doubt two months ago, no one envisioned Rogers now would be spearheading a title charge while looking like an essential player for the national team. The current run is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. When the hero positioned himself before the North End when the game ended leading the celebrations, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These spells do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.