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A mere eight weeks prior that the young forward was standing on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as his coach berated him over not reading a through-ball. At that point, as the club failed to win in six, doubts remained whether his displays were a sign or a cause for the team's wider issues.

“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”

This weekend, however, the sideline response was entirely much more joyous. When Rogers swept in his second strike to reclaim the lead for Villa, the boss tore off his jacket, opened his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club were on their way to ten wins in a row , after failing to win any of their first six games, find themselves a mere three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Hopefuls?

That’s an exceptionally difficult query to address. Past precedent, the perceived status of the club, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been completely commanding during this run, while the victories have stacked up.

According to the data, on just two occasions has the side posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a side which has put together 10 in a row, the Villans appear strangely fragile – yet right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy seems to be to trade blows with the opposition and wait for Rogers to save the day with some precise efforts. This was the case away to Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and once more when facing United.

Rogers' first goal came from an exquisite effort, curled just inside the post from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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. Against United, the opponents managed a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those games.

A statistical correction could be the most significant challenge they must confront in the near future. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot keep on drilling the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is another reality where, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker could start scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the force he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are set to regain fitness, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

This could contain the possibility of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this is a surprise. Nobody thought Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.

The current run is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner faced the North End after the match conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These spells do not happen often and should be relished.