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It was 60 days in the past that Morgan Rogers found himself on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery berated him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if his performances were an indicator or the reason of the team's wider issues.

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

In the latest match, however, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. As the England international drilled in his second to reclaim his side's advantage, the boss tore off his jacket, opened his arms and bellowed. The team marched on to a 10th successive win and despite not winning their opening six matches, are somehow just three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?

That’s an exceptionally difficult proposition to answer. The historical record, a general sense of Villa, argues against it. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant during this run, even as the victories have accumulated.

As per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the side registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a club which has put together a ten-match winning streak, they appear weirdly vulnerable – but at the moment the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach seems to be to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on Rogers to save the day with some precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and again against United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a brilliant finish, bent just inside the post from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, the opposition managed more shots and more shots on target. Villa have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all except one of those games.

A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent the club must confront in the near future. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot keep on thrashing the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.

• The centre-forward could start finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent might become the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are due to return from injury, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defence.

This could contain the possibility of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would occupy third at Christmas. And certainly earlier this season, no one envisioned the midfielder now would be leading a title charge and appearing as an essential player for the national team.

This winning streak should be enjoyed precisely because it feels so unlikely. When the hero positioned himself before the home supporters after the match orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.