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A mere two months prior when Morgan Rogers was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery scolded him over not reading a penetrating pass. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were an indicator or a cause for Villa's more general malaise.

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

On Sunday, though, the touchline reaction proved to be much more joyous. As the in-form star drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate the lead for Villa, Emery ripped off his coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row and despite not winning their initial half-dozen games, find themselves just three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?

This is an exceptionally difficult proposition to resolve. History, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they have not been completely commanding during this run, while the wins have accumulated.

As per statistical analysis, twice all season has the team registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a side that have strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the margins are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for their star man to save the day with two clinical strikes. This occurred against Leeds, it occurred in London, and again against Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from an exquisite effort, curled just inside the upright from the edge of the area. For his second acted as a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

“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?

Logic says not. Against United, the opponents managed more shots and more shots on target. Villa have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean may well be the most significant challenge the club will encounter as the season progresses. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot keep on thrashing the football into the top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be another reality where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins might resume scoring again.
• The attacking talent might become the player he showed during his peak.
• The defensive duo are due to return from injury, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the seeds for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

However, this was unforeseen. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine Rogers as the year closed would be spearheading a championship pursuit and appearing as a crucial England player.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the hero faced the home supporters after the match conducting the cheers, it was clear to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.