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A mere eight weeks in the past that the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager berated him over missing a through-ball. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, the question was if his displays were a sign or a cause for the side's wider issues.

“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”

On Sunday, in contrast, the sideline response was decidedly more positive. After Rogers curled home his second strike to restore Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa continued to ten wins in a row and despite not winning their opening six games, now sit a mere three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Serious Title Contenders?

That’s an exceptionally difficult query to address. History, a general sense of Villa, argues against it. Moreover, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, while the wins have accumulated.

Per the data, on just two occasions has the team had an xG significantly higher than the other team. For a team which has strung together 10 in a row, Villa seem strangely fragile – yet at the moment the margins are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy looks like to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it happened in London, and again when facing Manchester United.

The initial strike stemmed from a brilliant finish, arced just inside the post from a wide position. For his second was essentially a somewhat messier replica of goal number one 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?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, Manchester United managed more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those games.

A reversion to average could be the most significant challenge the club must confront in the near future. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot maintain drilling his shots past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures might still find their top level.

• The centre-forward could start finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent might become the player he resembled in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually regain fitness, bolstering a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable the team would occupy third at Christmas. And without a doubt two months ago, no one envisioned the young forward as the year closed would be spearheading a title charge while looking like a vital player for the national team.

This winning streak should be enjoyed precisely because it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner positioned himself before the North End at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These spells are rare in football and must be appreciated.