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Just two months prior when the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while the Villa manager scolded him over missing a penetrating pass. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause 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, though, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. When Rogers drilled in his second to reclaim Villa's lead, the boss ripped off his coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The team were on their way to a 10th successive win , after failing to win any of their first six games, now sit a mere three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Serious Title Contenders?

It remains a rather hard question to resolve. History, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Moreover, they've rarely been wholly dominant this season, despite the fact the victories have piled up.

Per Opta, on just two occasions has the side had an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a side who have put together a ten-match winning streak, they look curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the fine lines are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The current approach looks like to engage in a shootout with an opponent before hoping Rogers to save the day with some precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more versus the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal originated from a superb shot, arced right inside the upright from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opposition registered more shots and more direct attempts. Villa have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean might be the biggest rival they must confront over the coming weeks. Rogers, almost certainly, will not continue to thrashing his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be an alternative path in which, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures may yet find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the force he showed during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Maybe within that lies the possibility for a sustained push, but they surely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, this was unforeseen. Few believed Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt earlier this season, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be leading a hunt for the title and appearing as a vital England player.

The current run is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. As the hero positioned himself before the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, he appeared to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.