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Just two months prior that Morgan Rogers stood on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while his coach admonished him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. Back then, with the team went six without a win, the question was if his displays were an indicator or the source of the side's more general malaise.

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

On Sunday, however, the sideline response proved to be far more favourable. As Rogers swept in his brace-sealing goal to restore his side's advantage, the boss ripped off his coat, opened his arms and roared. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row , despite not winning their initial half-dozen matches, are somehow only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Serious Challengers?

That’s an exceptionally difficult proposition to address. History, the perceived status of Villa, argues against it. Moreover, their performances haven't been entirely convincing during this run, despite the fact the victories have accumulated.

Per Opta, twice all season has the side posted an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a team which has just won ten consecutive victories, Villa look strangely fragile – but currently the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and then rely on their star man to bail them out with two crisp finishes. It happened against Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened when facing Manchester United.

His opener originated from an exquisite effort, bent precisely inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opposition managed more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those fixtures.

A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent they have to face over the coming weeks. Their key man, surely, cannot maintain blasting the football past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Could it be another reality where, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
• The winger might become the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are due to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a sometimes shaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a genuine bid, but they surely cannot keep relying on one man.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Aston Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be leading a title charge and appearing as a vital player for the national team.

This remarkable period must be cherished exactly since it appears so improbable. When the hero faced the North End when the game ended leading the celebrations, he appeared to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These spells do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.