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It was two months prior when the young forward was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while his coach scolded him over not reading a through-ball. During that period, with the team endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if his displays were a sign 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, though, the sideline response proved to be much more joyous. When the England international curled home his second to reclaim Villa's lead, Emery discarded his coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club were on their way to ten wins in a row and having failed to win any of their first six matches, now sit only three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?

This is an exceptionally difficult query to address. History, the perceived status of Villa, argues against it. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing during this run, even as the positive results have stacked up.

As per Opta, twice all season have Villa registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a team that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans seem weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic seems to be to engage in a shootout with rivals before hoping their star man to bail them out with two precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and once more versus Manchester United.

The initial strike originated from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the upright from a wide position. The follow-up goal was essentially a somewhat messier replica of his first as he pounced 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.”

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opponents managed a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. The team has won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all but one of those fixtures.

A reversion to average may well be the biggest rival Villa must confront in the near future. Their key man, surely, cannot keep on drilling the ball into the top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists another reality where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins could start scoring again.
• The attacking talent might become the force he was in Germany.
• The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, strengthening a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility for a sustained push, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit and appearing as a crucial England player.

This remarkable period must be cherished for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When Rogers positioned himself before the North End after the match leading the celebrations, he appeared to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are rare in football and must be appreciated.