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Just 60 days prior when Morgan Rogers was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery scolded him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were a sign or the source for Villa's broader struggles.

“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 much more joyous. After Rogers swept in his brace-sealing goal to restore his side's advantage, the boss discarded his jacket, spread his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club were on their way to ten wins in a row and despite not winning any of their first six matches, are somehow a mere three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Challengers?

This is an exceptionally difficult question to answer. History, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they have not been completely commanding in many games, despite the fact the wins have piled up.

According to Opta, in only two games has the team had an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a team who have put together a ten-match winning streak, they appear curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic seems to be to trade blows with the opposition and wait for Rogers to rescue them with some crisp finishes. This occurred at Leeds, it occurred in London, and it happened versus the Red Devils.

His opener came from a brilliant finish, arced just inside the post from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of his first capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opponents registered a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all except one of those matches.

A reversion to average may well be the most significant challenge Villa will encounter over the coming weeks. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot keep on blasting the football past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Could it be a different scenario where, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures may yet return to peak condition.

• The main striker may begin to finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the player he resembled in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are set to regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky defensive unit.

This could contain the possibility of a title challenge, but they surely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this was unforeseen. Few believed the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt two months ago, no one envisioned the midfielder now would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.

The current run is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. As the match-winner stood in front of the home supporters at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.