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A mere two months prior that Morgan Rogers stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while his coach scolded him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. Back then, with the team went six without a win, the question was whether Rogers' form were a symptom or the source for the side's broader struggles.

“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”

In the latest match, however, the manager's outburst was entirely decidedly more positive. As the in-form star swept in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician ripped off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club continued to a 10th successive win , having failed to win any of their first six matches, now sit just three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Hopefuls?

It remains an exceptionally difficult query to address. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, suggests not. Additionally, they have not been wholly dominant during this run, despite the fact the positive results have accumulated.

Per Opta, on just two occasions has the team posted an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a club that have put together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans appear curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy looks like to trade blows with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to save the day with two crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it transpired in London, and once more versus Manchester United.

The initial strike stemmed from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of the opener capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

Can It Last?

Logic says not. Against United, Manchester United registered more efforts and more shots on target. They have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all but one of those games.

A reversion to average may well be the biggest rival Villa must confront in the near future. The forward, surely, cannot keep on blasting the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward might resume adding to his goal tally.
• The winger might become the performer he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually return from injury, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the potential of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

However, this was unforeseen. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned the midfielder as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit and appearing as an essential England player.

This winning streak should be enjoyed for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When the hero positioned himself before the North End at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.