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A mere eight weeks in the past when the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while his coach admonished him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. At that point, as the club went six without a win, it wasn't clear if his performances were a sign or the source for the team's wider issues.

“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”

On Sunday, though, the touchline reaction proved to be far more favourable. When the in-form star drilled in his second to reinstate his side's advantage, Emery ripped off his jacket, opened his arms and bellowed. Villa marched on to a 10th successive win , despite not winning their opening six fixtures, find themselves just three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?

That’s a particularly tough proposition to answer. History, the perceived status of this institution, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they have not been wholly dominant during this run, despite the fact the victories have piled up.

According to statistical analysis, in only two games has the team posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a team which has put together a ten-match winning streak, Villa look strangely fragile – yet currently the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it transpired in London, and again versus United.

His opener stemmed from a brilliant finish, curled right inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

“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. In the recent win, the opposition managed more efforts and more shots on target. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those matches.

A reversion to average might be the most significant challenge they must confront in the near future. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on blasting the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is a different scenario whereby, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures may yet rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward could start adding to his goal tally.
• The winger might become the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, strengthening a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

This could contain the seeds for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Aston Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine the midfielder now would be leading a title charge while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As the hero positioned himself before the Villa faithful when the game ended orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are rare in football and should be relished.