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It was eight weeks in the past when the Villa attacker was standing on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as his coach admonished him for not reading a through-ball. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if his performances were a symptom or the reason for the team's broader struggles.

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

On Sunday, however, the manager's outburst was entirely far more favourable. When Rogers drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The team continued to a 10th successive win and after failing to win their opening six matches, are somehow just three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Challengers?

It remains a particularly tough question to answer. The historical record, the traditional standing of Villa, argues against it. Additionally, their performances haven't been entirely convincing this season, while the positive results have piled up.

Per the data, on just two occasions has the side had an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a club who have put together 10 in a row, Villa appear curiously susceptible – but at the moment the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach seems to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for their talisman to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. This occurred away to Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again against the Red Devils.

His opener stemmed from a brilliant finish, bent right inside the post from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he seized 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. During the latest victory, the opponents registered more efforts and more shots on target. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those matches.

A statistical correction could be the most significant challenge they will encounter in the near future. Rogers, surely, cannot keep on drilling his shots into the top corner week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is an alternative path whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players could still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent might become the force he was during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs are set to regain fitness, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the potential for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would sit third at Christmas. And certainly back in October, few could imagine the young forward now would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as a vital Three Lions star.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the hero stood in front of the Villa faithful after the match leading the celebrations, it was clear to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.