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It was two months prior when Morgan Rogers found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery berated him over not reading a penetrating pass. At that point, as the club failed to win in six, the question was if Rogers' form were a sign or the reason for Villa's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the sideline response proved to be decidedly more positive. After Rogers drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim Villa's lead, the boss ripped off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The team marched on to ten wins in a row , despite not winning their initial half-dozen matches, find themselves only three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Challengers?

That’s a particularly tough proposition to address. The historical record, the perceived status of Villa, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, even as the wins have stacked up.

As per statistical analysis, in only two games has the side registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a side which has put together ten consecutive victories, the Villans seem weirdly vulnerable – however currently the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach seems to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent before hoping their talisman to bail them out with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and once more when facing Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, arced precisely inside the post from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal was essentially a somewhat messier replica of goal number one 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?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opponents registered a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. They have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all but one of those matches.

Regression to the mean might be the most significant challenge the club have to face as the season progresses. The forward, surely, cannot maintain blasting his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is an alternative path in which, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures may yet find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins could start finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the force he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the possibility of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.

This remarkable period must be cherished precisely because it seems so surreal. When the hero stood in front of the Villa faithful at the final whistle leading the celebrations, it was clear to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.