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Just two months in the past when the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while Unai Emery scolded him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear whether his performances were a sign or a cause of the team's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, in contrast, the touchline reaction was entirely far more favourable. When the England international swept in his second to reinstate Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician tore off his coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The team continued to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win any of their first six matches, find themselves only three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Hopefuls?

It remains a particularly tough query to resolve. History, the perceived status of Villa, argues against it. Additionally, their performances haven't been entirely convincing during this run, even as the wins have accumulated.

According to Opta, in only two games have Villa had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a side which has strung together 10 in a row, the Villans appear strangely fragile – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy looks like to trade blows with an opponent and wait for their star man to bail them out with some crisp finishes. It happened against Leeds, it transpired in London, and once more when facing United.

His opener stemmed from an exquisite effort, bent just inside the upright from a wide position. The follow-up goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of the opener 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, Manchester United managed a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. The team has won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those games.

A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent the club must confront as the season progresses. Their key man, in all likelihood, will not continue to thrashing the football into the top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is an alternative path where, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs might still return to peak condition.

• The main striker may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually return from injury, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a genuine bid, but they surely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

However, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And without a doubt two months ago, few could imagine the midfielder now would be spearheading a title charge while looking like an essential Three Lions star.

The current run must be cherished exactly since it feels so unlikely. When Rogers stood in front of the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.