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It was 60 days prior when the Villa attacker found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager berated him over not reading a through-ball. Back then, with the team went six without a win, the question was if his performances were an indicator or the reason of Villa's broader struggles.

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

In the latest match, though, the sideline response proved to be far more favourable. When the in-form star curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate his side's advantage, Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. Villa continued to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, are somehow only three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Hopefuls?

It remains an exceptionally difficult proposition to address. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they have not been entirely convincing in many games, even as the positive results have piled up.

According to the data, on just two occasions has the team posted an xG significantly higher than the other team. For a team that have strung together ten consecutive victories, the Villans look weirdly vulnerable – however at the moment the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy appears to be to trade blows with rivals and wait for Rogers to bail them out with a couple of clinical strikes. This was the case at Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and again against United.

His opener originated from a superb shot, bent just inside the post from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of the opener as he seized 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?

Logic says not. In the recent win, Manchester United managed a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. Villa have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those matches.

A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge the club must confront as the season progresses. The forward, surely, cannot keep on drilling his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists a different scenario where, rather than luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs might still return to peak condition.

• The main striker may begin to finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the performer he showed 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 seeds for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would sit third at Christmas. And without a doubt earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a crucial Three Lions star.

This winning streak is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. As the hero stood in front of the North End after the match conducting the cheers, it was clear to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These spells are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.