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A mere 60 days prior when Morgan Rogers was standing on the Sunderland turf, looking confused as Unai Emery scolded him over missing a penetrating pass. Back then, as Villa went six without a win, the question was whether Rogers' form were a symptom or the reason of the team's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the sideline response was entirely decidedly more positive. After the in-form star swept in his second strike to reclaim Villa's lead, the boss tore off his jacket, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club were on their way to a 10th successive win and despite not winning their initial half-dozen fixtures, are somehow just three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Title Contenders?

It remains a particularly tough proposition to address. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the wins have accumulated.

According to Opta, twice all season has the team had an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a team which has strung together 10 in a row, the Villans seem strangely fragile – but at the moment the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy seems to be to exchange chances with rivals before hoping their star man to bail them out with some clinical strikes. This was the case against Leeds, it transpired in London, and once more versus Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal came from a brilliant finish, bent right inside the post from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of his first as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

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

Can It Last?

Logic says not. Against United, Manchester United registered more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has won each of their last eight by a single goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those fixtures.

A statistical correction could be the biggest rival the club have to face in the near future. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot keep on thrashing his shots into the net's top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists another reality whereby, rather than luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures could still return to peak condition.

• The main striker may begin to scoring again.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the force he was during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

This could contain the potential for a sustained push, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on one man.

Savoring the Moment

But then, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And certainly two months ago, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit while looking like a vital Three Lions star.

This remarkable period must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. When the hero stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, it was clear to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These spells are rare in football and should be relished.