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A mere 60 days in the past when Morgan Rogers found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as his coach berated him for missing a penetrating pass. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained if his displays were an indicator or the source of the side's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, however, the sideline response was entirely far more favourable. As Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate the lead for Villa, the boss tore off his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. The Birmingham club were on their way to a 10th successive win , after failing to win any of their first six games, find themselves just three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Challengers?

It remains an exceptionally difficult query to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Moreover, their performances haven't been entirely convincing during this run, even as the wins have stacked up.

As per statistical analysis, twice all season has the team had an xG significantly higher than the other team. For a club which has just won 10 in a row, they appear strangely fragile – but at the moment the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach looks like to trade blows with rivals before hoping their star man to rescue them with some crisp finishes. This occurred against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and once more when facing the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, curled just inside the upright from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

“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?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, Manchester United had more shots and more shots on target. The team has secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those games.

Regression to the mean could be the greatest opponent Villa will encounter as the season progresses. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot keep on thrashing the football into the top corner week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists another reality where, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players may yet rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are due to return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the potential for a sustained push, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would be third at Christmas. And certainly two months ago, no one envisioned the young forward as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.

The current run should be enjoyed precisely because it seems so surreal. As the hero faced the North End when the game ended orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.