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It was two months in the past when the young forward found himself on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while his coach scolded him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, as Villa went six without a win, the question was if Rogers' form were a sign or the source for the side's broader struggles.

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

On Sunday, in contrast, the sideline response was entirely decidedly more positive. As the in-form star drilled in his second strike to restore his side's advantage, Emery tore off his jacket, opened his arms and roared. The Birmingham club were on their way to ten wins in a row , despite not winning any of their first six games, are somehow only three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Title Contenders?

It remains an exceptionally difficult question to resolve. History, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing this season, even as the positive results have piled up.

As per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the team registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a team which has put together ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear curiously susceptible – however right now the fine lines are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic seems to be to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with two clinical strikes. It happened at Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and it happened against the Red Devils.

His opener came from a brilliant finish, curled precisely inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of the opener 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opposition managed more shots and more shots on target. The team has secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those matches.

Regression to the mean could be the biggest rival the club have to face in the near future. The forward, surely, cannot keep on thrashing his shots into the top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be an alternative path in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins might resume finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the performer he showed in Germany.
• The defensive duo are due to return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Maybe within that lies the possibility of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

But then, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And certainly earlier this season, few could imagine Rogers now would be at the forefront of a title charge while looking like a crucial player for the national team.

The current run is to be savoured for the very reason that it appears so improbable. When the match-winner faced the North End when the game ended conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are rare in football and should be relished.