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It was eight weeks in the past that Morgan Rogers was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery berated him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. During that period, as Villa failed to win in six, the question was if his displays were an indicator or a cause of the team'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, however, the manager's outburst proved to be decidedly more positive. After Rogers curled home his second to reclaim Villa's lead, Emery tore off his coat, spread his arms and roared. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their initial half-dozen matches, now sit just three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Title Contenders?

It remains a rather hard question to address. History, the perceived status of the club, argues against it. Additionally, their performances haven't been completely commanding this season, despite the fact the victories have accumulated.

Per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the team registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a club that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans look strangely fragile – however currently the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic looks like to engage in a shootout with rivals and then rely on their talisman to rescue them with some crisp finishes. This was the case against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and it happened against Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the post from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal acted as a slight scruffier version of the opener as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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?

Logic says not. In the recent win, Manchester United managed a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those games.

Regression to the mean might be the most significant challenge the club must confront as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, cannot maintain thrashing the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists a different scenario where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker may begin to scoring again.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the force he resembled during his peak.
• The defensive duo are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky defence.

This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, but they surely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt two months ago, nobody thought Rogers as the year closed would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential England player.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. When the hero stood in front of the home supporters after the match leading the celebrations, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These spells are rare in football and must be appreciated.