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Just two months ago when the Villa attacker was standing on the Sunderland turf, looking confused as Unai Emery admonished him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, the question was whether Rogers' form were an indicator or the source of the side's more general malaise.

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

In the latest match, however, the manager's outburst proved to be far more favourable. After the in-form star curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore Villa's lead, the boss ripped off his jacket, opened his arms and roared. The team marched on to a 10th successive win , despite not winning their opening six matches, now sit a mere three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Title Contenders?

This is a rather hard question to address. Past precedent, the traditional standing of Villa, suggests not. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant during this run, while the wins have accumulated.

According to statistical analysis, twice all season has the side posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a club that have just won 10 in a row, Villa seem curiously susceptible – but at the moment the margins are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy appears to be to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to save the day with a couple of precise efforts. This occurred at Leeds, it transpired in London, and it happened when facing United.

The initial strike originated from a brilliant finish, curled right inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. For his second proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

“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. During the latest victory, the opposition had a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. Villa have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those matches.

A statistical correction could be the biggest rival they will encounter in the near future. The forward, surely, cannot keep on blasting the ball into the top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists a different scenario where, rather than luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures might still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho might become the force he showed during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs are due to regain fitness, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Maybe within that lies the potential for a sustained push, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this was unforeseen. Few believed the team would be in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, nobody thought Rogers as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a vital England player.

This remarkable period must be cherished precisely because it feels so unlikely. As Rogers faced the Villa faithful after the match orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These runs of form do not happen often and should be relished.