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A mere two months prior when Morgan Rogers was standing on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while the Villa manager admonished him over missing a pass in behind. At that point, with the team went six without a win, the question was whether his displays were an indicator or a cause for the team's broader struggles.

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

On Sunday, though, the sideline response proved to be far more favourable. After the England international drilled in his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician ripped off his jacket, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa continued to ten wins in a row , despite not winning any of their first six fixtures, now sit a mere three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Hopefuls?

That’s a particularly tough question to answer. Past precedent, the perceived status of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they have not been wholly dominant this season, while the wins have stacked up.

As per the data, twice all season have Villa posted an xG significantly higher than the other team. For a team who have strung together 10 in a row, they appear strangely fragile – yet currently the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic appears to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and then rely on their star man to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and it happened when facing Manchester United.

His opener stemmed from a brilliant finish, curled right inside the upright from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal was essentially a somewhat messier replica of goal number one 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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, Manchester United managed more efforts and more shots on target. The team has secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.

A reversion to average might be the most significant challenge the club have to face as the season progresses. Their key man, surely, cannot maintain drilling the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists an alternative path whereby, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players could still find their top level.

• The centre-forward might resume scoring again.
• The attacking talent might become the force he was in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a sometimes shaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this was unforeseen. Few believed Aston Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, few could imagine the young forward now would be spearheading a title charge while looking like a vital Three Lions star.

This winning streak should be enjoyed for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the hero positioned himself before the Villa faithful at the final whistle leading the celebrations, it was clear to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are rare in football and should be relished.