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Just eight weeks ago that the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while his coach scolded him over not reading a penetrating pass. At that point, as the club endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his displays were a symptom or a cause for the team's broader struggles.

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

In the latest match, in contrast, the sideline response was far more favourable. When the England international curled home his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, the boss ripped off his jacket, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The team continued to ten wins in a row , after failing to win any of their first six fixtures, now sit just three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Serious Title Contenders?

That’s a rather hard query to resolve. Past precedent, the perceived status of Villa, argues against it. Additionally, they've rarely been entirely convincing in many games, while the wins have piled up.

Per the data, on just two occasions has the team posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a club which has just won ten consecutive victories, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – yet currently the margins are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach looks like to trade blows with rivals and then rely on their star man to bail them out with two clinical strikes. This occurred against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and it happened versus the Red Devils.

The initial strike originated from a brilliant finish, curled precisely inside the post from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

“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. Against United, the opposition had more efforts and more shots on target. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those matches.

A reversion to average might be the greatest opponent the club must confront over the coming weeks. The forward, surely, cannot maintain blasting the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is an alternative path where, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures could still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker might resume finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the force he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are set to regain fitness, strengthening a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this is a surprise. Few believed Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And certainly two months ago, few could imagine Rogers now would be at the forefront of a title charge while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.

This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As the match-winner faced the North End when the game ended conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.