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A mere eight weeks in the past that the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as the Villa manager berated him over not reading a through-ball. Back then, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his performances were a sign or a cause of the team'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, however, the manager's outburst was entirely decidedly more positive. After the England international curled home his second to reinstate his side's advantage, Emery ripped off his jacket, opened his arms and roared. The team continued to a 10th successive win and despite not winning any of their first six matches, now sit a mere three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?

This is a particularly tough query to resolve. The historical record, the perceived status of this institution, suggests not. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant during this run, despite the fact the wins have accumulated.

As per the data, in only two games has the side had an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a side who have put together ten consecutive victories, Villa appear weirdly vulnerable – but at the moment the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach looks like to trade blows with the opposition and wait for their star man to rescue them with some precise efforts. This occurred away to Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more when facing the Red Devils.

His opener stemmed from a superb shot, curled right inside the post from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal was essentially a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he pounced 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?

Logic says not. In the recent win, Manchester United had more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those matches.

A statistical correction might be the greatest opponent the club must confront in the near future. The forward, surely, cannot keep on blasting the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is a different scenario whereby, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs may yet rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The winger might become the player he showed in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually regain fitness, bolstering a sometimes shaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And without a doubt earlier this season, few could imagine Rogers as the year closed would be leading a title charge and appearing as an essential England player.

The current run must be cherished precisely because it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner positioned himself before the home supporters when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and must be appreciated.