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It was two months in the past that the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager berated him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, the question was if his displays were a sign or a cause of the side's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, however, the manager's outburst was entirely far more favourable. When the England international drilled in his second strike to restore Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician tore off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The Birmingham club marched on to ten wins in a row , despite not winning their opening six matches, are somehow a mere three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Serious Challengers?

That’s an exceptionally difficult proposition to resolve. The historical record, the traditional standing of this institution, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been completely commanding during this run, even as the positive results have piled up.

According to the data, twice all season has the side had an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a team which has just won 10 in a row, they seem curiously susceptible – however right now the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy seems to be to trade blows with the opposition and wait for their star man to bail them out with some clinical strikes. It happened at Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and again versus Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, arced just inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. For his second acted as a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opposition managed more efforts and more direct attempts. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those fixtures.

A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival they must confront as the season progresses. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling the football into the top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be an alternative path whereby, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players might still return to peak condition.

• The main striker may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The winger might become the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are due to regain fitness, strengthening a periodically leaky defence.

This could contain the possibility of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.

Savoring the Moment

But then, nobody expected this. Nobody thought the team would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine Rogers as the year closed would be leading a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial England player.

This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner positioned himself before the home supporters at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.