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Just eight weeks prior that Morgan Rogers stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager scolded him over missing a pass in behind. At that point, with the team went six without a win, the question was whether Rogers' form were a symptom or the source of the side's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, though, the sideline response was entirely far more favourable. After Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to reclaim the lead for Villa, Emery discarded his coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The team continued to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win any of their first six games, find themselves just three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Hopefuls?

It remains a particularly tough query to answer. History, the perceived status of Villa, suggests not. Furthermore, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, while the victories have piled up.

According to Opta, on just two occasions have Villa registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a side that have strung together ten consecutive victories, they appear strangely fragile – however at the moment the margins are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy looks like to exchange chances with the opposition and wait for Rogers to save the day with some clinical strikes. This occurred away to Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and it happened when facing the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal originated from a superb shot, curled precisely inside the upright from a wide position. The follow-up goal was essentially a somewhat messier replica of goal number one as he pounced 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, Manchester United had a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those games.

Regression to the mean may well be the greatest opponent the club will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot keep on thrashing the ball past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is an alternative path whereby, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.

• The centre-forward might resume adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the player he was during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to regain fitness, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a title challenge, but they surely can continue to depend solely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt two months ago, nobody thought the midfielder by the end of the year would be spearheading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.

This remarkable period must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. When Rogers positioned himself before the North End at the final whistle leading the celebrations, it was clear to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These runs of form do not happen often and must be appreciated.