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It was eight weeks prior when Morgan Rogers stood on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while the Villa manager berated him over not reading a penetrating pass. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were a symptom or the reason for the team's wider issues.

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

In the latest match, though, the manager's outburst was entirely much more joyous. When Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore his side's advantage, Emery tore off his coat, opened his arms and roared. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, find themselves only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?

It remains a rather hard question to answer. Past precedent, the traditional standing of Villa, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they've rarely been completely commanding in many games, despite the fact the positive results have accumulated.

Per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the team posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a club which has strung together ten consecutive victories, they seem weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach looks like to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on Rogers to rescue them with a couple of crisp finishes. It happened against Leeds, it occurred in London, and it happened versus the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal came from a brilliant finish, bent precisely inside the goal frame from a wide position. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, Manchester United had more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those matches.

A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent Villa will encounter over the coming weeks. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot maintain thrashing the football past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists another reality in which, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players might still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward could start scoring again.
• The winger may rediscover the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Maybe within that lies the potential of a title challenge, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, this was unforeseen. Few believed the team would be in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought Rogers as the year closed would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as an essential Three Lions star.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed precisely because it appears so improbable. When the match-winner faced the home supporters when the game ended leading the celebrations, he appeared to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These runs of form do not happen often and should be relished.