The Astonishing Scoring Streak Drives The Villans' Unlikely Title Charge

Just eight weeks in the past that the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager berated him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. At that point, with the team went six without a win, the question was whether his performances were an indicator or the source of the side's wider issues.

On Sunday, though, the manager's outburst was entirely much more joyous. As the in-form star curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his winter coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The team were on their way to ten wins in a row and after failing to win their initial half-dozen games, find themselves just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Hopefuls?

This is a rather hard query to address. The historical record, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Furthermore, they have not been entirely convincing during this run, despite the fact the victories have accumulated.

Per statistical analysis, in only two games has the team posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a club who have put together ten consecutive victories, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – but at the moment the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach seems to be to trade blows with the opposition and wait for their talisman to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it happened in London, and once more against the Red Devils.

His opener stemmed from a superb shot, bent just inside the upright from a wide position. The follow-up goal acted as a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.

Can It Last?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opponents managed a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. They have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean may well be the most significant challenge they must confront in the near future. The forward, surely, will not continue to thrashing the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists another reality where, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward could start scoring again.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the force he was in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually return from injury, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

However, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And certainly back in October, nobody thought the midfielder as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit and appearing as a crucial England player.

The current run should be enjoyed precisely because it seems so surreal. As the hero faced the home supporters at the final whistle leading the celebrations, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.