The Astonishing Golden Spell Drives Aston Villa's Unlikely Title Charge

Just 60 days prior when the Villa attacker found himself on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery scolded him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. During that period, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained if his performances were a symptom or the reason of the side's more general malaise.

On Sunday, though, the sideline response was far more favourable. As the in-form star drilled in his second strike to reclaim his side's advantage, Emery discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. The Birmingham club marched on to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, find themselves only three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Title Contenders?

It remains an exceptionally difficult question to address. History, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Moreover, they've rarely been completely commanding in many games, despite the fact the victories have accumulated.

Per statistical analysis, in only two games has the side registered an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a team who have put together ten consecutive victories, the Villans look weirdly vulnerable – however right now the margins are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach seems to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for Rogers to save the day with two precise efforts. This occurred away to Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and it happened against the Red Devils.

His opener came from a brilliant finish, bent just inside the upright from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of the opener as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opponents registered a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. They have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those games.

A statistical correction might be the greatest opponent the club must confront over the coming weeks. The forward, in all likelihood, will not continue to blasting the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is another reality in which, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures might still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent might become the player he showed in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually regain fitness, strengthening a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the potential for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this is a surprise. Nobody thought the team would be third at Christmas. And certainly back in October, few could imagine the young forward as the year closed would be leading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a crucial player for the national team.

This winning streak is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. When the hero faced the Villa faithful at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.