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It was 60 days prior that the Villa attacker was standing on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager scolded him for not reading a through-ball. During that period, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained if his displays were an indicator or the source of Villa's wider issues.

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

This weekend, however, the manager's outburst proved to be much more joyous. When the England international curled home his second to restore the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician discarded his winter coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win their opening six fixtures, find themselves only three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Hopefuls?

It remains a rather hard query to resolve. History, the perceived status of the club, argues against it. Moreover, their performances haven't been entirely convincing in many games, while the victories have piled up.

According to statistical analysis, on just two occasions have Villa had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a side that have put together a ten-match winning streak, they appear strangely fragile – yet currently the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic looks like to exchange chances with the opposition and wait for their star man to bail them out with some precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and again when facing Manchester United.

His opener stemmed from an exquisite effort, curled precisely inside the goal frame from a wide position. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced 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.”

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, Manchester United registered more shots and more direct attempts. They have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.

A reversion to average could be the biggest rival they will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot keep on drilling his shots into the top corner forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists a different scenario where, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures might still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker could start finding the net regularly.
• The winger may rediscover the player he showed during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to return from injury, fortifying a periodically leaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine the young forward now would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while looking like a vital player for the national team.

This winning streak should be enjoyed precisely because it seems so surreal. When the match-winner stood in front of the North End after the match conducting the cheers, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These spells are rare in football and must be appreciated.