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It was two months ago that the young forward found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager admonished him for not reading a through-ball. During that period, as the club went six without a win, doubts remained if his displays were a symptom or a cause of Villa's broader struggles.

“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”

In the latest match, though, the manager's outburst was far more favourable. When the England international swept in his second strike to restore his side's advantage, the boss discarded his coat, opened his arms and roared. The team marched on to ten wins in a row , despite not winning any of their first six fixtures, are somehow just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Serious Challengers?

That’s a rather hard query to answer. The historical record, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they've rarely been completely commanding during this run, while the positive results have piled up.

As per Opta, on just two occasions has the team had an xG notably superior than the other team. For a side which has strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa look curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the fine lines are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic looks like to engage in a shootout with an opponent and then rely on their talisman to save the day with some clinical strikes. This was the case at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and it happened against Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal originated from a brilliant finish, arced just inside the upright from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal acted as a slight scruffier version of the opener capitalizing 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, Manchester United managed a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. They have won each of their last eight by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those games.

Regression to the mean may well be the most significant challenge they must confront in the near future. Their key man, surely, cannot keep on thrashing the ball into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is an alternative path in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins could start finding the net regularly.
• The winger may rediscover the performer he was during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs are set to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky backline.

This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this was unforeseen. Few believed Villa would sit third at Christmas. And most definitely back in October, nobody thought the midfielder as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while looking like an essential England player.

The current run must be cherished for the very reason that it appears so improbable. When Rogers stood in front of the home supporters when the game ended conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.