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It was eight weeks prior when the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as his coach berated him for missing a through-ball. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether his displays were an indicator or the source for Villa's wider issues.

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

This weekend, however, the sideline response proved to be far more favourable. When the England international curled home his second to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The team continued to ten wins in a row , despite not winning any of their first six fixtures, now sit a mere three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Hopefuls?

This is a rather hard proposition to address. History, the traditional standing of the club, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they have not been entirely convincing during this run, while the victories have piled up.

Per statistical analysis, twice all season has the side had an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a team which has just won a ten-match winning streak, they seem curiously susceptible – however right now the margins are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with an opponent and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with some clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and once more when facing United.

The initial strike came from a superb shot, curled precisely inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, Manchester United had a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. They have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all except one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean could be the biggest rival they will encounter over the coming weeks. Rogers, surely, cannot keep on thrashing the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Could it be an alternative path in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players could still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The winger could transform into the force he was during his peak.
• The defensive duo are set to regain fitness, fortifying a periodically leaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

However, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable the team would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be spearheading a title charge while looking like an essential Three Lions star.

This winning streak is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the hero positioned himself before the North End when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.