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Just two months ago that the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager berated him over not reading a penetrating pass. At that point, as Villa went six without a win, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were an indicator or a cause of Villa'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 sideline response proved to be far more favourable. As the in-form star curled home his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, Emery tore off his winter coat, opened his arms and bellowed. Villa marched on to a 10th successive win , having failed to win their opening six games, now sit a mere three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Challengers?

This is a rather hard question to address. History, the perceived status of Villa, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing this season, despite the fact the victories have accumulated.

According to the data, twice all season has the side had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a team that have just won 10 in a row, Villa seem weirdly vulnerable – however at the moment the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach looks like to trade blows with rivals and then rely on their star man to save the day with two precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and it happened against United.

The initial strike stemmed from a brilliant finish, bent precisely inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of the opener capitalizing 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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opposition managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those matches.

A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge they have to face in the near future. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain thrashing the football into the top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is another reality where, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures may yet find their top level.

• The main striker could start adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the force he resembled during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a sometimes shaky backline.

This could contain the possibility of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would sit third at Christmas. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned Rogers as the year closed would be leading a title charge while looking like a vital Three Lions star.

This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner positioned himself before the Villa faithful at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. Such periods are rare in football and should be relished.