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A mere eight weeks prior that Morgan Rogers stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while his coach berated him over missing a through-ball. At that point, as the club failed to win in six, it wasn't clear whether his displays were a symptom or a cause for the side's wider issues.

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

In the latest match, however, the manager's outburst was entirely far more favourable. When the in-form star swept in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club continued to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win any of their first six matches, find themselves a mere three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Hopefuls?

It remains an exceptionally difficult question to answer. History, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been completely commanding in many games, despite the fact the victories have stacked up.

Per the data, on just two occasions has the team posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a team who have strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa seem strangely fragile – however at the moment the margins are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic seems to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and then rely on their star man to save the day with two precise efforts. This was the case away to Leeds, it happened in London, and again versus Manchester United.

His opener originated from a brilliant finish, curled precisely inside the post from the edge of the area. For his second was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opposition managed more shots and more shots on target. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those matches.

A reversion to average could be the biggest rival the club will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, in all likelihood, will not continue to thrashing his shots into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is another reality whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs may yet rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins might resume finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the performer he resembled in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually regain fitness, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And certainly back in October, nobody thought the young forward now would be leading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed precisely because it appears so improbable. As the hero faced the Villa faithful at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.