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A mere eight weeks in the past that the young forward found himself on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager admonished him over missing a through-ball. Back then, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if his performances were an indicator or a cause for the side's wider issues.

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

In the latest match, in contrast, the manager's outburst was far more favourable. After the in-form star swept in his second strike to reinstate his side's advantage, Emery ripped off his jacket, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The team were on their way to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win any of their first six games, find themselves only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Serious Title Contenders?

That’s a rather hard proposition to resolve. The historical record, the perceived status of Villa, argues against it. Moreover, their performances haven't been completely commanding this season, even as the victories have stacked up.

Per Opta, on just two occasions has the team posted an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a side which has just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa look strangely fragile – however right now the fine lines are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy looks like to trade blows with the opposition and wait for their talisman to rescue them with two crisp finishes. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and once more against Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he seized 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.”

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, Manchester United registered a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean may well be the greatest opponent they must confront in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot keep on drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers forever.

A Case for Belief

Could it be another reality whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players could still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker might resume finding the net regularly.
• The winger may rediscover the performer he was in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually return from injury, strengthening a periodically leaky backline.

This could contain the potential of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would be third at Christmas. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought Rogers by the end of the year would be spearheading a title charge while looking like a vital England player.

This remarkable period must be cherished precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the hero faced the home supporters when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.