The Astonishing Golden Spell Propels Aston Villa's Surprising Championship Bid

It was eight weeks ago that the young forward was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while his coach berated him over not reading a pass in behind. Back then, as the club endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if his displays were a sign or a cause of the side's wider issues.

In the latest match, however, the touchline reaction proved to be far more favourable. After the England international curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate his side's advantage, the boss ripped off his jacket, spread his arms and roared. The team were on their way to a 10th successive win and after failing to win their opening six games, now sit just three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Title Contenders?

It remains a rather hard question to resolve. The historical record, a general sense of this institution, suggests not. Moreover, their performances haven't been entirely convincing this season, while the wins have stacked up.

Per the data, twice all season has the team posted an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a club who have strung together a ten-match winning streak, they seem weirdly vulnerable – but right now the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach looks like to exchange chances with an opponent before hoping their talisman to rescue them with two precise efforts. This was the case against Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again versus United.

The initial strike stemmed from a superb shot, bent just inside the post from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of goal number one capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, Manchester United managed more shots and more shots on target. Villa have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all but one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction might be the most significant challenge they will encounter in the near future. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot keep on drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers forever.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists an alternative path where, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players might still find their top level.

• The centre-forward might resume adding to his goal tally.
• The winger could transform into the force he resembled in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to regain fitness, fortifying a sometimes shaky defence.

This could contain the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Aston Villa would be third at Christmas. And most definitely back in October, nobody thought the midfielder as the year closed would be leading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a vital Three Lions star.

This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. When the match-winner positioned himself before the North End when the game ended conducting the cheers, he seemed to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These runs of form are rare in football and should be relished.