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A mere 60 days prior when the Villa attacker was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager scolded him for not reading a pass in behind. During that period, with the team endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if his performances were a symptom or a cause for the team's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the manager's outburst was entirely much more joyous. As Rogers drilled in his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, the boss tore off his winter coat, opened his arms and bellowed. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their opening six games, find themselves only three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Challengers?

That’s an exceptionally difficult question to resolve. History, the traditional standing of the club, suggests not. Furthermore, they have not been completely commanding this season, despite the fact the positive results have stacked up.

According to the data, twice all season has the side registered an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a team which has strung together a ten-match winning streak, they look strangely fragile – however right now the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach looks like to trade blows with an opponent and then rely on Rogers to rescue them with some crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and again versus Manchester United.

His opener originated from an exquisite effort, bent just inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. For his second was essentially a somewhat messier replica of goal number one as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opposition registered more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those matches.

A statistical correction could be the biggest rival the club have to face in the near future. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot keep on thrashing the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Could it be another reality in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.

• The main striker could start finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are set to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a periodically leaky defence.

This could contain the seeds of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

However, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt two months ago, nobody thought Rogers by the end of the year would be leading a title charge while looking like a crucial player for the national team.

This remarkable period is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. When Rogers faced the Villa faithful after the match conducting the cheers, it was clear to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.