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A mere 60 days prior when the Villa attacker was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as Unai Emery admonished him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. During that period, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his displays were a sign or the reason of the team's wider issues.

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

In the latest match, though, the sideline response proved to be far more favourable. As Rogers drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician ripped off his jacket, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. Villa continued to ten wins in a row and after failing to win their initial half-dozen matches, find themselves just three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Title Contenders?

It remains an exceptionally difficult question to address. History, the traditional standing of this institution, argues against it. Additionally, they've rarely been completely commanding during this run, even as the positive results have accumulated.

According to statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the team posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a team who have just won ten consecutive victories, they appear weirdly vulnerable – however currently the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy seems to be to trade blows with rivals and then rely on Rogers to save the day with some crisp finishes. This occurred at Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and once more when facing Manchester United.

The initial strike stemmed from a brilliant finish, bent precisely inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal acted as a slight scruffier version of his first as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

“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.”

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opponents had more shots and more shots on target. The team has secured their last eight victories by just one goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those fixtures.

A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent the club have to face as the season progresses. Rogers, in all likelihood, will not continue to blasting his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Could it be a different scenario whereby, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures may yet return to peak condition.

• The main striker may begin to scoring again.
• The winger may rediscover the player he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually return from injury, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a genuine bid, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, no one envisioned the midfielder as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a vital England player.

This remarkable period must be cherished for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As the hero stood in front of the home supporters at the final whistle conducting the cheers, it was clear to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.