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Just 60 days prior when the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager berated him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause for the side's wider issues.

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

This weekend, though, the touchline reaction proved to be far more favourable. After the in-form star swept in his second strike to reclaim Villa's lead, Emery discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. The team were on their way to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their opening six matches, are somehow only three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Serious Title Contenders?

That’s a rather hard question to address. History, the perceived status of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they have not been wholly dominant during this run, while the positive results have piled up.

Per Opta, in only two games has the side registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a side that have strung together 10 in a row, the Villans appear weirdly vulnerable – yet right now the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent before hoping their talisman to save the day with a couple of clinical strikes. This occurred at Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and it happened versus Manchester United.

His opener originated from an exquisite effort, bent just inside the goal frame from a wide position. For his second proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

“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.”

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, Manchester United had a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those fixtures.

A reversion to average could be the greatest opponent Villa will encounter over the coming weeks. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain thrashing the ball past despairing goalkeepers forever.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is another reality in which, rather than luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures might still find their top level.

• The centre-forward could start scoring again.
• The attacking talent could transform into the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to regain fitness, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this is a surprise. Few believed the team would be in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward now would be leading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a vital player for the national team.

This remarkable period must be cherished exactly since it appears so improbable. When Rogers faced the Villa faithful at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are rare in football and must be appreciated.