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A mere eight weeks prior that the young forward stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused as his coach scolded him over not reading a penetrating pass. At that point, as the club went six without a win, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were a sign or the reason of the side's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, however, the manager's outburst proved to be far more favourable. After the in-form star drilled in his second to restore Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician tore off his winter coat, spread his arms and bellowed. The team continued to ten wins in a row , having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, now sit a mere three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Title Contenders?

It remains an exceptionally difficult question to address. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Additionally, they've rarely been wholly dominant during this run, despite the fact the positive results have accumulated.

Per the data, twice all season has the side had an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a team that have strung together 10 in a row, they appear weirdly vulnerable – however at the moment the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach looks like to trade blows with the opposition and wait for their talisman to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired in London, and once more against Manchester United.

The initial strike originated from a brilliant finish, arced precisely inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

“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 registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all but one of those matches.

A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent Villa have to face in the near future. Rogers, almost certainly, will not continue to thrashing the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists an alternative path in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the player he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually return from injury, fortifying a periodically leaky defensive unit.

This could contain the possibility of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this is a surprise. Few believed the team would occupy third at Christmas. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the young forward now would be leading a hunt for the title and appearing as an essential Three Lions star.

The current run should be enjoyed exactly since it appears so improbable. When the match-winner faced the home supporters when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.