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It was eight weeks in the past when Morgan Rogers was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while the Villa manager admonished him over not reading a through-ball. During that period, as Villa failed to win in six, the question was if his displays were a symptom 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.”

This weekend, in contrast, the sideline response was much more joyous. When the England international swept in his second to reinstate Villa's lead, Emery discarded his winter coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club marched on to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win their opening six matches, find themselves a mere three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Challengers?

It remains a rather hard question to answer. Past precedent, the traditional standing of this institution, suggests not. Furthermore, they've rarely been wholly dominant this season, while the victories have piled up.

Per Opta, in only two games has the side registered an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a team that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, Villa seem curiously susceptible – but currently the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic looks like to engage in a shootout with rivals before hoping their star man to rescue them with a couple of precise efforts. This was the case against Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again against United.

The initial strike originated from an exquisite effort, bent precisely inside the upright from the edge of the area. For his second proved to be a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

“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?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, Manchester United had more shots and more direct attempts. They have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction might be the most significant challenge the club have to face as the season progresses. The forward, surely, cannot keep on blasting the football into the top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Could it be a different scenario whereby, rather than luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures could still find their top level.

• The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The winger may rediscover the performer he was in Germany.
• The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt two months ago, nobody thought Rogers by the end of the year would be spearheading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a vital England player.

The current run is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. As Rogers faced the home supporters after the match conducting the cheers, he seemed to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.