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It was two months in the past that the Villa attacker found himself on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager admonished him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. At that point, as Villa went six without a win, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were a symptom or the reason for the team's broader struggles.

“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”

In the latest match, in contrast, the sideline response was decidedly more positive. As Rogers swept in his second strike to reinstate his side's advantage, Emery ripped off his coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team marched on to ten wins in a row and after failing to win any of their first six matches, now sit only three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?

That’s an exceptionally difficult question to address. Past precedent, the traditional standing of the club, suggests not. Furthermore, they have not been entirely convincing in many games, while the wins have piled up.

As per the data, on just two occasions have Villa registered an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a team who have just won ten consecutive victories, the Villans look strangely fragile – but at the moment the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and then rely on Rogers to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. This occurred at Leeds, it occurred in London, and it happened versus the Red Devils.

His opener stemmed from an exquisite effort, curled precisely inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.

“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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opponents managed more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those matches.

A statistical correction could be the most significant challenge they have to face in the near future. Rogers, surely, cannot keep on drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be a different scenario in which, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs might still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker could start scoring again.
• The attacking talent might become the force he was in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are set to regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the possibility for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And without a doubt two months ago, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be spearheading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a vital Three Lions star.

This winning streak must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. As Rogers positioned himself before the home supporters when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.