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Just 60 days prior when Morgan Rogers found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as Unai Emery berated him for missing a through-ball. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, the question was whether Rogers' form were a sign or the reason of the side'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, in contrast, the touchline reaction was entirely much more joyous. After Rogers drilled in his second to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician ripped off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The team continued to a 10th successive win , after failing to win any of their first six matches, now sit only three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Title Contenders?

It remains a particularly tough question to resolve. The historical record, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Additionally, they have not been completely commanding during this run, while the victories have piled up.

Per Opta, in only two games has the side had an xG more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a club which has strung together 10 in a row, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – yet right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy looks like to trade blows with an opponent and then rely on Rogers to save the day with a couple of precise efforts. This was the case at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and once more versus Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, curled just inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. For his second proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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.”

Can It Last?

Logic says not. Against United, the opposition registered more shots and more direct attempts. They have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all but one of those matches.

Regression to the mean might be the most significant challenge the club must confront as the season progresses. Rogers, surely, cannot keep on thrashing his shots past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is another reality in which, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still find their top level.

• The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
• The winger might become the performer he resembled during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually regain fitness, fortifying a periodically leaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a genuine bid, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt two months ago, no one envisioned the midfielder as the year closed would be spearheading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a crucial England player.

This winning streak is to be savoured precisely because it seems so surreal. When the hero stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, he appeared to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These spells are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.