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A mere two months in the past when the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery berated him over missing a through-ball. At that point, with the team went six without a win, the question was whether Rogers' form were a sign or the reason for Villa's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, in contrast, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. After the in-form star swept in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim Villa's lead, Emery discarded his coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team continued to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win their opening six matches, now sit only three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Hopefuls?

This is a rather hard query to answer. The historical record, the perceived status of the club, suggests not. Furthermore, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, while the positive results have piled up.

As per statistical analysis, twice all season has the side registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a club which has just won 10 in a row, they seem weirdly vulnerable – but at the moment the fine lines are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for their talisman to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it occurred in London, and it happened when facing United.

His opener came from an exquisite effort, curled right inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

“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?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opposition registered more shots and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those matches.

Regression to the mean might be the greatest opponent they will encounter in the near future. Their key man, surely, will not continue to drilling the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be another reality whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs could still find their top level.

• The main striker could start adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the force he was during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to regain fitness, strengthening a periodically leaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, but they surely cannot keep relying on one man.

Savoring the Moment

But then, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And certainly back in October, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be leading a hunt for the title and appearing as a vital England player.

This winning streak must be cherished exactly since it appears so improbable. When the hero positioned himself before the Villa faithful after the match leading the celebrations, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These spells do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.