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It was 60 days ago when Morgan Rogers stood on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as his coach admonished him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was if Rogers' form were a sign or the reason of the team's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, however, the touchline reaction proved to be decidedly more positive. After the England international swept in his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, the boss ripped off his coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their initial half-dozen matches, find themselves just three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Title Contenders?

That’s an exceptionally difficult query to resolve. History, the traditional standing of this institution, argues against it. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the positive results have piled up.

According to the data, in only two games have Villa registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a team that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, Villa appear weirdly vulnerable – but at the moment the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic looks like to exchange chances with an opponent and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with two clinical strikes. This was the case against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again versus Manchester United.

The initial strike came from a brilliant finish, arced right inside the goal frame from a wide position. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he pounced 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opponents had more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those games.

A statistical correction might be the greatest opponent they will encounter in the near future. Rogers, surely, cannot maintain blasting the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists another reality whereby, rather than luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs might still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins could start scoring again.
• The winger could transform into the player he showed during his peak.
• The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a genuine bid, but they surely can continue to depend solely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

However, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And certainly back in October, no one envisioned Rogers as the year closed would be leading a title charge while establishing himself as a crucial Three Lions star.

This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As the hero faced the Villa faithful at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These spells are rare in football and should be relished.