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Just two months prior that Morgan Rogers stood on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager scolded him over missing a penetrating pass. Back then, as the club failed to win in six, the question was whether his performances were a symptom or the source for the side's more general malaise.

“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 entirely much more joyous. When the England international drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician discarded his coat, threw his arms wide and roared. Villa were on their way to a 10th successive win and having failed to win their initial half-dozen games, are somehow just three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?

That’s an exceptionally difficult proposition to answer. History, the perceived status of the club, argues against it. Furthermore, they have not been completely commanding in many games, while the positive results have accumulated.

According to the data, in only two games has the team registered an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a side which has strung together 10 in a row, they appear strangely fragile – but currently the margins are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach seems to be to exchange chances with an opponent and wait for Rogers to bail them out with some clinical strikes. This occurred against Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and it happened versus United.

His opener stemmed from a brilliant finish, arced precisely inside the upright from a wide position. The follow-up goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of his first as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

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

Can It Last?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, Manchester United had more shots and more shots on target. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean may well be the most significant challenge Villa will encounter over the coming weeks. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot keep on thrashing his shots past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists an alternative path in which, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures could still find their top level.

• The centre-forward may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the force he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to return from injury, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable backline.

This could contain the possibility for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable the team would sit in a Champions League place in December. And certainly two months ago, few could imagine the midfielder now would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial England player.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As the match-winner stood in front of the North End when the game ended conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.