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Just eight weeks prior when the young forward found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused as his coach admonished him for not reading a through-ball. During that period, with the team endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if his displays were a sign or a cause of the team's more general malaise.

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

In the latest match, in contrast, the manager's outburst was entirely decidedly more positive. After Rogers drilled in his second strike to reclaim the lead for Villa, Emery discarded his winter coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. Villa continued to ten wins in a row and despite not winning any of their first six fixtures, find themselves just three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Serious Hopefuls?

It remains an exceptionally difficult proposition to resolve. The historical record, the perceived status of this institution, argues against it. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing this season, even as the positive results have stacked up.

Per statistical analysis, in only two games has the team registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a club that have put together ten consecutive victories, they seem weirdly vulnerable – yet currently the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and then rely on their star man to save the day with two precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and it happened versus United.

The initial strike originated from a brilliant finish, curled just inside the upright from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of the opener capitalizing 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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, the opposition managed more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those games.

Regression to the mean might be the biggest rival the club must confront as the season progresses. Rogers, surely, cannot keep on blasting the football past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Could it be another reality in which, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players might still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Villa would sit third at Christmas. And without a doubt back in October, no one envisioned Rogers as the year closed would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while looking like an essential Three Lions star.

The current run should be enjoyed precisely because it appears so improbable. When the hero stood in front of the North End after the match leading the celebrations, he appeared to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.