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It was 60 days prior that the young forward found himself on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as his coach scolded him for missing a pass in behind. Back then, as the club endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his displays were a symptom or the source of the side's wider issues.

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

This weekend, however, the sideline response was entirely much more joyous. As the in-form star swept in his second strike to restore the lead for Villa, Emery ripped off his coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The team were on their way to a 10th successive win , despite not winning their initial half-dozen fixtures, are somehow a mere three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Challengers?

It remains an exceptionally difficult proposition to address. History, the perceived status of Villa, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they've rarely been entirely convincing during this run, while the positive results have stacked up.

Per the data, twice all season has the team posted an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a side that have put together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans appear weirdly vulnerable – but currently the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy seems to be to exchange chances with an opponent before hoping Rogers to bail them out with some clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and again when facing Manchester United.

The initial strike stemmed from a superb shot, bent right inside the goal frame from a wide position. The follow-up goal acted as a slight scruffier version of his first as he pounced 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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opponents managed more efforts and more shots on target. The team has won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those matches.

A statistical correction might be the greatest opponent the club must confront over the coming weeks. Rogers, surely, will not continue to drilling his shots into the top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is a different scenario whereby, rather than luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs might still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward might resume scoring again.
• The winger could transform into the force he resembled in Germany.
• The defensive duo will eventually return from injury, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a genuine bid, but they surely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward now would be leading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a vital player for the national team.

This winning streak should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. As the match-winner stood in front of the North End when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.