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It was two months in the past when the Villa attacker was standing on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while his coach berated him over missing a pass in behind. During that period, as the club went six without a win, the question was whether Rogers' form were a symptom or the reason of the side'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 proved to be much more joyous. As the in-form star drilled in his brace-sealing goal to restore his side's advantage, the boss ripped off his coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club marched on to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their opening six fixtures, find themselves a mere three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Challengers?

It remains an exceptionally difficult question to resolve. The historical record, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing in many games, despite the fact the victories have stacked up.

According to the data, in only two games have Villa had an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a team who have strung together 10 in a row, the Villans look strangely fragile – yet currently the fine lines are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The current approach looks like to exchange chances with rivals before hoping their talisman to bail them out with two clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and once more versus the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a superb shot, bent right inside the post from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of the opener as he seized 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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opponents registered a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean could be the most significant challenge Villa must confront over the coming weeks. The forward, surely, will not continue to thrashing his shots into the top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is an alternative path where, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward might resume scoring again.
• The winger might become the force he was during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to return from injury, fortifying a sometimes shaky defence.

This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

But then, this was unforeseen. Few believed the team would occupy third at Christmas. And without a doubt back in October, few could imagine Rogers now would be leading a title charge while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.

The current run is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. When Rogers faced the North End when the game ended conducting the cheers, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.