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It was 60 days ago when the Villa attacker found himself on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as Unai Emery berated him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained whether his performances were a symptom or a cause for Villa's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, in contrast, the sideline response was entirely far more favourable. When the in-form star curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. Villa were on their way to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, now sit just three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?

That’s a rather hard question to resolve. History, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing in many games, while the wins have piled up.

As per the data, on just two occasions has the side registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a team that have just won ten consecutive victories, the Villans seem strangely fragile – but at the moment the margins are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic looks like to trade blows with an opponent and wait for their star man to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again versus Manchester United.

The initial strike originated from an exquisite effort, curled right inside the upright from a wide position. For his second was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of the opener capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

“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. During the latest victory, Manchester United managed a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. The team has won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those games.

Regression to the mean might be the most significant challenge the club will encounter over the coming weeks. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot maintain blasting his shots into the top corner week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists another reality in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still return to peak condition.

• The main striker may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The winger may rediscover the player he showed during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually regain fitness, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit while looking like a vital England player.

The current run is to be savoured for the very reason that it appears so improbable. When Rogers positioned himself before the North End after the match conducting the cheers, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These spells are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.