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A mere eight weeks in the past that the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager berated him for missing a penetrating pass. During that period, with the team endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were a symptom or the source for Villa's broader struggles.

“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”

This weekend, however, the sideline response proved to be far more favourable. When Rogers drilled in his second to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician ripped off his coat, spread his arms and roared. The team marched on to a tenth straight victory and despite not winning any of their first six games, find themselves a mere three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?

That’s a rather hard question to resolve. Past precedent, the traditional standing of Villa, suggests not. Furthermore, they have not been entirely convincing this season, even as the victories have piled up.

As per the data, in only two games have Villa had an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a team that have put together ten consecutive victories, they seem weirdly vulnerable – but at the moment the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach looks like to engage in a shootout with rivals and wait for Rogers to bail them out with some crisp finishes. This occurred at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and once more when facing Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal came from a brilliant finish, arced just inside the post from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal was essentially a somewhat messier replica of his first capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

Can It Last?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opponents registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those fixtures.

A statistical correction might be the most significant challenge Villa must confront in the near future. The forward, surely, will not continue to drilling his shots into the top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is another reality in which, rather than luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs may yet rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The winger could transform into the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are set to regain fitness, bolstering a sometimes shaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Aston Villa would occupy 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 title charge while establishing himself as an essential England player.

The current run should be enjoyed for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As the match-winner stood in front of the North End at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.