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Just 60 days in the past that the young forward stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery berated him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. At that point, as the club failed to win in six, the question was whether his performances were a symptom or the source of Villa'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 much more joyous. When Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore Villa's lead, Emery discarded his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The team marched on to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win their opening six matches, are somehow a mere three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Title Contenders?

It remains a particularly tough query to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Additionally, they have not been wholly dominant during this run, despite the fact the victories have accumulated.

According to the data, in only two games has the side had an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a club who have just won 10 in a row, the Villans seem weirdly vulnerable – yet currently the margins are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic looks like to exchange chances with the opposition and wait for their star man to bail them out with two crisp finishes. It happened against Leeds, it happened in London, and once more versus the Red Devils.

The initial strike came from a superb shot, curled precisely inside the goal frame from a wide position. For his second acted as a slight scruffier version of his first as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

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

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opponents managed a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. Villa have won each of their last eight by just one goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those fixtures.

A statistical correction might be the biggest rival the club have to face in the near future. Rogers, surely, cannot maintain blasting the ball past despairing goalkeepers forever.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures may yet return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The winger may rediscover the player he showed in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are set to regain fitness, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

This could contain the possibility for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would sit third at Christmas. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine Rogers as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a vital player for the national team.

This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. When the match-winner stood in front of the home supporters when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are rare in football and should be relished.