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It was eight weeks ago that the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while his coach berated him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. Back then, with the team went six without a win, the question was if his performances were a symptom or the reason for 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, though, the sideline response was entirely much more joyous. When the in-form star drilled in his second strike to reinstate Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician ripped off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The Birmingham club continued to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, find themselves a mere three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Challengers?

It remains a particularly tough query to resolve. History, the perceived status of this institution, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, their performances haven't been completely commanding this season, while the wins have piled up.

According to the data, in only two games has the side had an xG more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a club which has put together 10 in a row, Villa appear strangely fragile – however at the moment the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach seems to be to trade blows with the opposition and wait for their talisman to bail them out with two precise efforts. This was the case away to Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and once more against Manchester United.

His opener came from a superb shot, curled right inside the goal frame from a wide position. His brace-completing goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

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

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opponents had more efforts and more direct attempts. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those games.

Regression to the mean might be the greatest opponent the club will encounter over the coming weeks. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot keep on blasting his shots into the top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Could it be another reality in which, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures might still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward might resume adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent might become the performer he showed in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are set to come back from the treatment room, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

However, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would sit third at Christmas. And most definitely back in October, nobody thought Rogers now would be leading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a vital player for the national team.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. When Rogers stood in front of the North End when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.