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Just eight weeks ago that the young forward was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager admonished him for missing a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if his displays were an indicator or the source for the team's more general malaise.

“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”

This weekend, though, the sideline response was decidedly more positive. After Rogers swept in his second strike to restore Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician tore off his jacket, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The team marched on to ten wins in a row and despite not winning their initial half-dozen matches, find themselves just three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Hopefuls?

That’s an exceptionally difficult question to answer. Past precedent, the perceived status of this institution, suggests not. Furthermore, they have not been wholly dominant during this run, while the wins have accumulated.

According to Opta, on just two occasions has the team registered an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a club who have put together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans seem strangely fragile – but currently the margins are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic seems to be to trade blows with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. This was the case at Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and once more versus Manchester United.

His opener originated from a superb shot, arced right inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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, the opponents registered a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. They have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those matches.

A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent they have to face as the season progresses. Their key man, surely, will not continue to thrashing his shots into the net's top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Could it be another reality whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players may yet find their top level.

• The main striker might resume adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the player he resembled during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs are set to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And most definitely back in October, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be spearheading a title charge while establishing himself as a vital player for the national team.

The current run should be enjoyed exactly since it appears so improbable. When the hero positioned himself before the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are rare in football and should be relished.