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A mere two months ago that the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while the Villa manager admonished him for not reading a pass in behind. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained if his performances were a symptom or a cause for Villa's broader struggles.

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

On Sunday, however, the touchline reaction proved to be far more favourable. When Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to reclaim Villa's lead, the boss tore off his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. The Birmingham club marched on to a 10th successive win , having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, find themselves a mere three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Serious Challengers?

It remains a rather hard query to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they have not been completely commanding during this run, while the positive results have accumulated.

Per statistical analysis, twice all season has the team registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a club that have put together 10 in a row, they appear strangely fragile – yet currently the fine lines are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach looks like to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for their star man to bail them out with two precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and again versus United.

The initial strike originated from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the upright from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he seized 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opposition managed more shots and more shots on target. They have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those matches.

A statistical correction might be the greatest opponent the club have to face over the coming weeks. Rogers, almost certainly, will not continue to thrashing the ball into the top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists a different scenario where, rather than luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet return to peak condition.

• The main striker may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent might become the player he was in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky backline.

Maybe within that lies the possibility of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And certainly earlier this season, few could imagine the young forward as the year closed would be spearheading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.

The current run should be enjoyed for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As Rogers positioned himself before the North End when the game ended conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.