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Just two months prior that the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as his coach scolded him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. During that period, as the club failed to win in six, doubts remained whether his performances were a sign or the reason for Villa's wider issues.

“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”

In the latest match, though, the touchline reaction proved to be far more favourable. When the in-form star drilled in his second to reinstate the lead for Villa, the boss tore off his coat, opened his arms and bellowed. Villa were on their way to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, are somehow just three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Serious Title Contenders?

It remains a rather hard proposition to answer. The historical record, a general sense of this institution, suggests not. Furthermore, they have not been completely commanding in many games, while the victories have accumulated.

Per Opta, twice all season has the team had an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a side that have put together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans look weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on Rogers to bail them out with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and again when facing the Red Devils.

His opener originated from an exquisite effort, arced precisely inside the upright from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of goal number one 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?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, Manchester United managed a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those games.

Regression to the mean might be the greatest opponent Villa must confront over the coming weeks. Rogers, in all likelihood, will not continue to thrashing the ball past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be another reality where, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still find their top level.

• The main striker could start finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent might become the force he showed in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are set to regain fitness, fortifying a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

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

Savoring the Moment

But then, nobody expected this. Nobody thought the team would be third at Christmas. And most definitely back in October, no one envisioned the young forward by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.

The current run must be cherished exactly since it appears so improbable. When the match-winner stood in front of the home supporters at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he seemed to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.