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Just two months in the past that the young forward stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as his coach scolded him over missing a penetrating pass. Back then, as the club went six without a win, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were a symptom or the reason of Villa's broader struggles.

“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”

This weekend, though, the manager's outburst was entirely decidedly more positive. When the England international drilled in his brace-sealing goal to restore the lead for Villa, Emery ripped off his coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The team were on their way to ten wins in a row and despite not winning their initial half-dozen matches, are somehow only three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?

That’s a particularly tough query to answer. History, the perceived status of Villa, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they have not been entirely convincing during this run, even as the positive results have stacked up.

According to statistical analysis, in only two games have Villa posted an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a side who have strung together ten consecutive victories, they look weirdly vulnerable – but at the moment the margins are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy looks like to trade blows with rivals and wait for their star man to rescue them with two clinical strikes. It happened at Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again when facing United.

His opener originated from a brilliant finish, arced right inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opponents registered a greater number of attempts 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 games.

A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge Villa will encounter as the season progresses. Their key man, surely, cannot maintain drilling his shots past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Could it be a different scenario in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players might still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins could start adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho might become the performer he was during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a genuine bid, but they surely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

However, this is a surprise. Nobody thought the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine the young forward by the end of the year would be leading a championship pursuit and appearing as an essential Three Lions star.

This winning streak is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. As the match-winner positioned himself before the Villa faithful after the match leading the celebrations, he seemed to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.