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A mere two months in the past when the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as his coach admonished him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. Back then, as the club endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if Rogers' form were a symptom or the source of Villa's more general malaise.

“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”

In the latest match, though, the touchline reaction was much more joyous. After the in-form star curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore his side's advantage, Emery ripped off his jacket, threw his arms wide and bellowed. Villa continued to a 10th successive win and having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, find themselves only three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Challengers?

It remains a particularly tough query to resolve. The historical record, the traditional standing of Villa, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the positive results have piled up.

Per Opta, in only two games has the side had an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a club that have put together ten consecutive victories, the Villans seem strangely fragile – however currently the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic 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. This was the case at Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and once more when facing the Red Devils.

The initial strike stemmed from a brilliant finish, curled just inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.

“Perhaps Rogers’ right foot is becoming like Arjen Robben’s left: just because you know he’s going to whip the ball into the top corner doesn’t mean you can stop him.”

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opponents had more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those matches.

Regression to the mean might be the greatest opponent they must confront in the near future. Rogers, surely, cannot keep on thrashing the football past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is another reality whereby, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players may yet return to peak condition.

• The main striker could start finding the net regularly.
• The winger may rediscover the player he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are set to come back from the treatment room, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable backline.

This could contain the possibility for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

However, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt two months ago, no one envisioned Rogers as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial England player.

The current run should be enjoyed exactly since it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner positioned himself before the home supporters after the match leading the celebrations, he seemed to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.