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Just two months in the past that Morgan Rogers was standing on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager admonished him for missing a pass in behind. During that period, as Villa went six without a win, the question was whether his displays were a sign or the reason for the side's wider issues.

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

This weekend, however, the manager's outburst proved to be much more joyous. After Rogers drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate Villa's lead, the boss ripped off his winter coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The team continued to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their opening six games, are somehow a mere three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Hopefuls?

That’s a rather hard query to answer. History, the traditional standing of Villa, suggests not. Additionally, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, while the wins have stacked up.

According to statistical analysis, twice all season have Villa had an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a team that have put together ten consecutive victories, they look strangely fragile – yet currently the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic seems to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with some clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and it happened when facing the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, curled precisely inside the goal frame from a wide position. For his second proved to be a slight scruffier version of the opener as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

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

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. Against United, the opposition had more shots and more shots on target. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those fixtures.

A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival Villa will encounter in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot maintain thrashing the football into the top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is a different scenario whereby, rather than luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still find their top level.

• The centre-forward might resume scoring again.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually regain fitness, fortifying a sometimes shaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, but they surely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable the team would sit in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt back in October, nobody thought Rogers by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.

This winning streak must be cherished precisely because it seems so surreal. When the hero positioned himself before the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.