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It was 60 days in the past that Morgan Rogers stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager scolded him for missing a pass in behind. Back then, as the club endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were a sign or the source for the team's more general malaise.

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

In the latest match, though, the sideline response proved to be far more favourable. When the England international swept in his brace-sealing goal to restore the lead for Villa, the boss discarded his jacket, opened his arms and bellowed. The team marched on to ten wins in a row , having failed to win their opening six fixtures, now sit just three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?

This is a particularly tough proposition to resolve. The historical record, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing during this run, even as the victories have piled up.

According to statistical analysis, twice all season has the team registered an xG notably superior than the other team. For a club who have put together a ten-match winning streak, they seem weirdly vulnerable – but currently the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The current approach appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and then rely on their talisman to rescue them with two precise efforts. This was the case away to Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again when facing United.

His opener originated from a brilliant finish, bent just inside the upright from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of his first capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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. During the latest victory, the opponents had more efforts and more shots on target. They have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all but one of those games.

A statistical correction could be the biggest rival the club must confront over the coming weeks. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot keep on blasting his shots into the top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Could it be another reality where, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures may yet rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins could start scoring again.
• The attacking talent might become the performer he was in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to regain fitness, fortifying a periodically leaky backline.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, this is a surprise. Few believed Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be spearheading a championship pursuit and appearing as a crucial player for the national team.

This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the hero positioned himself before the Villa faithful after the match leading the celebrations, he appeared to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These spells are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.