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A mere two months ago that the Villa attacker was standing on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while the Villa manager admonished him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team went six without a win, it wasn't clear whether his performances were an indicator or a cause for the side's wider issues.

“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”

In the latest match, in contrast, the touchline reaction was entirely far more favourable. As the in-form star swept in his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician ripped off his jacket, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team were on their way to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win any of their first six fixtures, are somehow a mere three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Challengers?

That’s an exceptionally difficult query to answer. Past precedent, the traditional standing of Villa, argues against it. Additionally, they have not been completely commanding during this run, despite the fact the positive results have accumulated.

According to statistical analysis, twice all season have Villa registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a side who have put together 10 in a row, Villa look curiously susceptible – however at the moment the margins are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic seems to be to trade blows with an opponent before hoping their talisman to rescue them with some precise efforts. This occurred against Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and again when facing the Red Devils.

The initial strike came from a superb shot, bent just inside the post from the corner of the box. For his second was essentially a somewhat messier replica of goal number one as he seized 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?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opponents had more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all but one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean could be the biggest rival they must confront as the season progresses. Their key man, surely, cannot maintain thrashing his shots into the top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists another reality in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures may yet rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward may begin to scoring again.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

This could contain the possibility for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, few could imagine the young forward as the year closed would be spearheading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as an essential England player.

This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As the match-winner faced the North End at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are rare in football and must be appreciated.