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It was two months prior when Morgan Rogers was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery berated him for missing a through-ball. Back then, as Villa failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if his displays were an indicator or a cause for the team's more general malaise.

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

On Sunday, in contrast, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. After Rogers swept in his second to reclaim his side's advantage, Emery ripped off his winter coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win any of their first six fixtures, now sit just three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Title Contenders?

That’s a particularly tough query to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, argues against it. Additionally, they have not been completely commanding this season, while the wins have stacked up.

As per the data, on just two occasions has the side had an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a team who have just won a ten-match winning streak, they appear strangely fragile – however at the moment the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic appears to be to trade blows with the opposition and wait for their star man to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and once more when facing Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a brilliant finish, curled precisely inside the upright from the edge of the area. For his second was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he seized 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, the opposition had more efforts and more shots on target. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those matches.

A reversion to average might be the greatest opponent the club have to face as the season progresses. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain thrashing the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists another reality in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players may yet find their top level.

• The main striker may begin to scoring again.
• The attacking talent could transform into the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually return from injury, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.

This could contain the potential for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this is a surprise. Few believed the team would occupy third at Christmas. And certainly earlier this season, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be spearheading a title charge while establishing himself as an essential England player.

This winning streak should be enjoyed precisely because it feels so unlikely. As Rogers stood in front of the home supporters when the game ended conducting the cheers, it was clear to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.