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It was eight weeks in the past when the Villa attacker found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as his coach scolded him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. Back then, as Villa went six without a win, it wasn't clear if his displays were a sign or the source for the team's broader struggles.

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

In the latest match, though, the manager's outburst was entirely far more favourable. After the England international swept in his second to reclaim Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, spread his arms and roared. The team continued to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, now sit just three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?

That’s a rather hard query to answer. The historical record, the traditional standing of this institution, indicates otherwise. Moreover, their performances haven't been entirely convincing during this run, despite the fact the positive results have stacked up.

According to the data, twice all season have Villa had an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a team who have strung together a ten-match winning streak, Villa seem weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

The current approach seems to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to rescue them with a couple of precise efforts. This was the case at Leeds, it happened in London, and again against the Red Devils.

His opener came from an exquisite effort, bent just inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

“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?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opponents managed a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. They have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those games.

Regression to the mean might be the greatest opponent Villa will encounter over the coming weeks. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot maintain blasting the ball into the net's top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists a different scenario where, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs might still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent might become the force he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are set to regain fitness, strengthening a sometimes shaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the potential for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine Rogers by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while looking like a vital England player.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed precisely because it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner positioned himself before the Villa faithful after the match orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.