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A mere 60 days ago when Morgan Rogers stood on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery admonished him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. At that point, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained whether his displays were a sign or the source for the side's wider issues.

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

In the latest match, in contrast, the touchline reaction proved to be decidedly more positive. When Rogers swept in his second to reclaim his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician ripped off his coat, spread his arms and roared. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, now sit only three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Challengers?

It remains an exceptionally difficult query to answer. Past precedent, the perceived status of the club, suggests not. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant this season, despite the fact the victories have piled up.

As per Opta, in only two games have Villa had an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a team which has strung together ten consecutive victories, the Villans seem weirdly vulnerable – however right now the margins are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic looks like to engage in a shootout with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to rescue them with some precise efforts. This was the case away to Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and again when facing Manchester United.

His opener came from an exquisite effort, bent precisely inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

“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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. Against United, Manchester United registered a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. They have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean may well be the most significant challenge they will encounter as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to drilling his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be an alternative path in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures could still return to peak condition.

• The main striker could start adding to his goal tally.
• The winger could transform into the player he showed in Germany.
• The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, bolstering a sometimes shaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

However, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt two months ago, nobody thought the midfielder now would be spearheading a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.

This winning streak must be cherished precisely because it seems so surreal. As the hero faced the North End after the match conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.