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A mere two months ago that Morgan Rogers stood on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager berated him over not reading a through-ball. During that period, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were a symptom or the source of the side's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the touchline reaction proved to be far more favourable. After Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician ripped off his winter coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa continued to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, are somehow only three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Challengers?

That’s a rather hard query to address. History, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, while the victories have stacked up.

Per Opta, on just two occasions has the team posted an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a side who have strung together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans seem weirdly vulnerable – but right now the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach looks like to engage in a shootout with rivals and wait for their star man to save the day with a couple of precise efforts. This was the case away to Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and again when facing United.

The initial strike stemmed from an exquisite effort, curled just inside the post from a wide position. For his second acted as a somewhat messier replica of goal number one capitalizing 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. In the recent win, Manchester United registered a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean could be the biggest rival they must confront as the season progresses. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot keep on blasting the ball into the top corner week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is a different scenario whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures may yet return to peak condition.

• The main striker could start adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent could transform into the force he was during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a periodically leaky backline.

Maybe within that lies the potential of a title challenge, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Aston Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned Rogers as the year closed would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as a vital England player.

The current run must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. As the hero positioned himself before the home supporters when the game ended conducting the cheers, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These spells are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.