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It was 60 days prior when Morgan Rogers stood on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery scolded him for missing a through-ball. Back then, with the team went six without a win, the question was if his displays 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.”

In the latest match, though, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. When the in-form star curled home his second to reinstate Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his jacket, spread his arms and roared. The Birmingham club marched on to ten wins in a row and after failing to win their opening six matches, now sit just three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Challengers?

It remains a rather hard query to address. History, the traditional standing of Villa, argues against it. Additionally, their performances haven't been wholly dominant during this run, even as the victories have accumulated.

According to Opta, in only two games has the team registered an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a club who have put together a ten-match winning streak, they seem weirdly vulnerable – yet currently the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy seems to be to trade blows with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with some precise efforts. This was the case away to Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again against Manchester United.

The initial strike originated from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opponents had a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. The team has secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean could be the biggest rival Villa must confront in the near future. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot maintain thrashing the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be a different scenario where, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still find their top level.

• The centre-forward might resume scoring again.
• The winger could transform into the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Maybe within that lies the possibility for a sustained push, but they surely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable the team would sit third at Christmas. And certainly earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial player for the national team.

This winning streak must be cherished exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner positioned himself before the North End when the game ended conducting the cheers, he seemed to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. Such periods are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.