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Just eight weeks prior when the young forward was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager scolded him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, as Villa failed to win in six, the question was if his performances were an indicator or the reason of the team's broader struggles.

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

On Sunday, however, the touchline reaction proved to be far more favourable. When the in-form star swept in his second to reinstate Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his winter coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The team continued to ten wins in a row , having failed to win their opening six fixtures, now sit only three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Challengers?

This is a particularly tough question to answer. The historical record, the traditional standing of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing this season, despite the fact the wins have piled up.

According to statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the side had an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a club who have put together ten consecutive victories, they appear strangely fragile – yet right now the fine lines are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic seems to be to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on their star man to bail them out with a couple of clinical strikes. This occurred away to Leeds, it transpired in London, and again when facing the Red Devils.

The initial strike came from a superb shot, curled just inside the goal frame from a wide position. For his second was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he seized 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.”

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opponents registered more efforts and more direct attempts. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean might be the biggest rival Villa must confront in the near future. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on drilling his shots past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists an alternative path whereby, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players might still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins might resume finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent might become the performer he resembled during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

However, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Aston Villa would be third at Christmas. And most definitely back in October, no one envisioned the young forward now would be leading a title charge and appearing as a vital Three Lions star.

This remarkable period is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. As Rogers stood in front of the home supporters at the final whistle conducting the cheers, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.