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Just 60 days in the past when the young forward was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while the Villa manager berated him over missing a penetrating pass. Back then, as Villa went six without a win, the question was if Rogers' form were an indicator or the reason for the side's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, however, the sideline response was entirely much more joyous. After the in-form star curled home his second to restore his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their opening six fixtures, find themselves just three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Challengers?

This is an exceptionally difficult query to address. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been wholly dominant during this run, despite the fact the victories have piled up.

Per statistical analysis, twice all season has the team posted an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a team that have just won a ten-match winning streak, they appear strangely fragile – but currently the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach seems to be to engage in a shootout with rivals before hoping their star man to save the day with some precise efforts. This was the case against Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and again when facing United.

The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, bent precisely inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

“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. Against United, Manchester United had more efforts and more direct attempts. The team has won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all but one of those matches.

A statistical correction might be the most significant challenge the club must confront over the coming weeks. The forward, almost certainly, cannot maintain blasting the ball into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be a different scenario whereby, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures might still find their top level.

• The main striker might resume adding to his goal tally.
• The winger could transform into the player he resembled during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs are due to regain fitness, fortifying a sometimes shaky defence.

This could contain the seeds for a sustained push, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt back in October, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be spearheading a championship pursuit while looking like an essential Three Lions star.

This remarkable period is to be savoured precisely because it seems so surreal. As Rogers stood in front of the North End when the game ended leading the celebrations, he appeared to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.