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A mere 60 days prior when the Villa attacker was standing on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as his coach scolded him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. Back then, as Villa failed to win in six, doubts remained if his displays were a symptom or the source for the side's wider issues.

“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”

On Sunday, though, the touchline reaction was entirely much more joyous. After the in-form star drilled in his second strike to restore his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician tore off his coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa continued to ten wins in a row , after failing to win any of their first six matches, find themselves just three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Title Contenders?

It remains an exceptionally difficult question to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they have not been wholly dominant during this run, even as the victories have stacked up.

Per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the team posted an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a side which has just won 10 in a row, the Villans seem weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for their talisman to save the day with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and once more against Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal originated from an exquisite effort, arced precisely inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, Manchester United managed a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those matches.

A reversion to average could be the most significant challenge Villa will encounter over the coming weeks. Rogers, surely, cannot maintain blasting his shots into the top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is an alternative path where, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward could start scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the force he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to return from injury, strengthening a periodically leaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the potential for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

But then, nobody expected this. Nobody thought the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely earlier this season, no one envisioned the midfielder now would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial Three Lions star.

This remarkable period must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. When the match-winner positioned himself before the North End at the final whistle leading the celebrations, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.