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A mere two months prior that the Villa attacker was standing on the Sunderland turf, looking confused as the Villa manager berated him over missing a penetrating pass. During that period, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his displays were an indicator or the reason for the side's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the sideline response was far more favourable. When the in-form star drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim the lead for Villa, the boss discarded his coat, spread his arms and roared. Villa marched on to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their initial half-dozen games, now sit a mere three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Title Contenders?

It remains a rather hard query to resolve. History, the traditional standing of Villa, argues against it. Furthermore, they have not been wholly dominant during this run, despite the fact the victories have accumulated.

Per statistical analysis, on just two occasions have Villa posted an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a club who have just won a ten-match winning streak, they look curiously susceptible – but at the moment the margins are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for Rogers to bail them out with some crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and once more when facing United.

His opener stemmed from a superb shot, arced precisely inside the goal frame from a wide position. The follow-up goal acted as a slight scruffier version of his first as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Logic says not. In the recent win, Manchester United managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has won each of their last eight by a single goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those games.

Regression to the mean could be the greatest opponent Villa have to face in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling the football into the top corner forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players might still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker may begin to scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho might become the performer he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are set to return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable the team would be third at Christmas. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge and appearing as an essential Three Lions star.

The current run must be cherished exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner faced the North End at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These runs of form are rare in football and should be relished.