This Remarkable Golden Spell Drives Aston Villa's Improbable Title Charge

A mere eight weeks prior when the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery berated him for missing a through-ball. Back then, as Villa failed to win in six, the question was whether his displays were a symptom or a cause for the side's more general malaise.

This weekend, though, the touchline reaction proved to be decidedly more positive. After Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician ripped off his winter coat, spread his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club marched on to a 10th successive win , having failed to win their opening six games, now sit just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Challengers?

It remains a particularly tough query to resolve. The historical record, a general sense of this institution, indicates otherwise. Additionally, their performances haven't been entirely convincing in many games, while the victories have piled up.

As per statistical analysis, on just two occasions have Villa had an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a team who have strung together 10 in a row, they seem curiously susceptible – however right now the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic appears to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with some precise efforts. This occurred against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again when facing United.

The initial strike originated from an exquisite effort, bent right inside the post from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.

How Long Can This Continue?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opponents had more shots and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all but one of those matches.

A reversion to average might be the biggest rival the club have to face as the season progresses. Their key man, surely, cannot maintain blasting the football past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists an alternative path where, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures may yet return to peak condition.

• The main striker might resume finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent could transform into the player he showed during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to return from injury, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this is a surprise. Few believed Villa would sit third at Christmas. And most definitely two months ago, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be spearheading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.

This winning streak is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. When the match-winner stood in front of the home supporters at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.