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It was eight weeks prior that the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager berated him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. At that point, with the team went six without a win, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were an indicator or the reason of the side's more general malaise.

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

In the latest match, however, the sideline response was entirely decidedly more positive. When Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate his side's advantage, the boss ripped off his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. Villa marched on to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, find themselves a mere three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Title Contenders?

This is a particularly tough proposition to address. Past precedent, the traditional standing of Villa, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, their performances haven't been completely commanding this season, while the victories have stacked up.

Per the data, on just two occasions have Villa registered an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a club that have strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa seem weirdly vulnerable – but currently the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy appears to be to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on Rogers to rescue them with a couple of precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it happened in London, and again against the Red Devils.

His opener originated from a brilliant finish, curled just inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. For his second proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

Can It Last?

Logic says not. Against United, Manchester United had more shots and more shots on target. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those games.

A reversion to average may well be the biggest rival the club must confront as the season progresses. Their key man, surely, will not continue to drilling the ball into the top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists an alternative path where, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players might still find their top level.

• The centre-forward might resume adding to his goal tally.
• The winger may rediscover the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, nobody thought the midfielder as the year closed would be spearheading a title charge and appearing as an essential Three Lions star.

The current run is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. When Rogers stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended leading the celebrations, it was clear to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.