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Just 60 days prior when Morgan Rogers found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery admonished him over not reading a pass in behind. Back then, as the club failed to win in six, the question was whether his displays were an indicator or a cause for Villa's wider issues.

“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”

This weekend, however, the sideline response was entirely far more favourable. When the in-form star drilled in his second strike to restore his side's advantage, Emery tore off his jacket, opened his arms and roared. The Birmingham club marched on to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win their initial half-dozen games, now sit just three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?

It remains an exceptionally difficult question to answer. History, a general sense of this institution, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been wholly dominant this season, even as the positive results have accumulated.

According to the data, in only two games has the side had an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a club which has strung together 10 in a row, the Villans seem strangely fragile – however at the moment the fine lines are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on Rogers to save the day with a couple of clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and it happened against Manchester United.

His opener originated from an exquisite effort, curled just inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. For his second was essentially a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opposition managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those matches.

Regression to the mean may well be the greatest opponent Villa will encounter over the coming weeks. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to blasting the ball past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is an alternative path in which, rather than luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures might still find their top level.

• The centre-forward could start scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the force he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are set to return from injury, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

This could contain the potential of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this is a surprise. Few believed the team would be third at Christmas. And certainly two months ago, no one envisioned Rogers as the year closed would be spearheading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a crucial England player.

This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As the hero positioned himself before the home supporters when the game ended leading the celebrations, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.