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Just two months in the past that the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as the Villa manager admonished him for not reading a penetrating pass. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if his displays were a sign or the source for Villa's broader struggles.

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

In the latest match, though, the touchline reaction proved to be far more favourable. As the in-form star curled home his second to restore his side's advantage, Emery tore off his coat, spread his arms and bellowed. The team marched on to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win their opening six fixtures, are somehow only three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Hopefuls?

This is a rather hard proposition to resolve. History, a general sense of the club, suggests not. Additionally, they've rarely been completely commanding in many games, despite the fact the wins have accumulated.

As per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the side had an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a side who have just won 10 in a row, Villa appear weirdly vulnerable – but currently the margins are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic seems to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with a couple of clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and again against United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. For his second acted as a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he pounced 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.”

Can It Last?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opponents registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all but one of those matches.

A reversion to average could be the greatest opponent Villa must confront in the near future. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain blasting the football into the top corner forever.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists another reality whereby, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players may yet return to peak condition.

• The main striker may begin to scoring again.
• The attacking talent could transform into the performer he showed in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering a periodically leaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, no one envisioned Rogers by the end of the year would be leading a hunt for the title and appearing as an essential England player.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As Rogers positioned himself before the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.