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Just two months in the past when the young forward stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery berated him for not reading a pass in behind. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was if Rogers' form were an indicator or the reason for the team's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, however, the touchline reaction was much more joyous. As the in-form star swept in his second strike to reinstate Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician discarded his coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. Villa continued to a 10th successive win , despite not winning any of their first six matches, are somehow just three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Title Contenders?

It remains a rather hard proposition to address. History, the perceived status of this institution, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they have not been completely commanding during this run, despite the fact the wins have stacked up.

Per the data, in only two games has the team posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a club that have put together a ten-match winning streak, they seem weirdly vulnerable – but right now the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy appears to be to trade blows with rivals and wait for their talisman to save the day with a couple of precise efforts. This occurred against Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again when facing United.

The initial strike stemmed from a superb shot, arced right inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. For his second was essentially a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

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

How Long Can This Continue?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, Manchester United managed a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. They have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean may well be the most significant challenge the club must confront in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot keep on blasting his shots past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is an alternative path whereby, rather than luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins might resume finding the net regularly.
• The winger could transform into the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are due to return from injury, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defence.

This could contain the seeds for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

However, this is a surprise. Nobody thought Aston Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought Rogers now would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while looking like a vital England player.

The current run should be enjoyed exactly since it appears so improbable. As Rogers positioned himself before the Villa faithful at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.