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Just 60 days prior that Morgan Rogers found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager berated him over not reading a through-ball. Back then, as Villa went six without a win, it wasn't clear if his displays were an indicator or a cause of Villa's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, however, the touchline reaction was entirely far more favourable. After the in-form star drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate the lead for Villa, Emery tore off his jacket, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club marched on to a 10th successive win and after failing to win their opening six matches, now sit only three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Title Contenders?

This is a particularly tough query to address. The historical record, a general sense of this institution, suggests not. Furthermore, they've rarely been wholly dominant during this run, even as the positive results have stacked up.

According to statistical analysis, twice all season has the side posted an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a side that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, Villa appear curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the fine lines are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with rivals and wait for Rogers to bail them out with some clinical strikes. This occurred away to Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and again when facing Manchester United.

His opener came from a superb shot, curled precisely inside the post from the edge of the area. For his second was essentially a somewhat messier replica 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?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opponents registered more shots and more direct attempts. They have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean may well be the greatest opponent they will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, surely, cannot maintain drilling the ball into the top corner forever.

Potential for Growth

Could it be an alternative path whereby, rather than luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs may yet return to peak condition.

• The main striker may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent could transform into the player he was during his peak.
• The defensive duo are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a sometimes shaky backline.

This could contain the potential of a title challenge, but they surely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would sit third at Christmas. And certainly earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward now would be leading a championship pursuit while looking like an essential England player.

The current run is to be savoured precisely because it appears so improbable. When the hero stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended leading the celebrations, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. Such periods are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.