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A mere 60 days ago that the young forward found himself on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while Unai Emery berated him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. At that point, as the club endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if his displays were a symptom or a cause 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, though, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. When the in-form star drilled in his second to restore Villa's lead, the boss ripped off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The Birmingham club continued to a 10th successive win , after failing to win their opening six games, are somehow only three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Hopefuls?

This is a particularly tough proposition to answer. History, a general sense of this institution, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been wholly dominant during this run, even as the wins have piled up.

As per the data, on just two occasions has the team registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a team who have just won ten consecutive victories, they look curiously susceptible – however currently the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on their talisman to rescue them with a couple of crisp finishes. This was the case at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened when facing Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a superb shot, curled precisely inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. For his second acted as a slight scruffier version of the opener capitalizing 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 opponents had more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all except one of those matches.

Regression to the mean could be the biggest rival Villa must confront over the coming weeks. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling the football into the top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be another reality in which, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs may yet rediscover their best form.

• The main striker might resume scoring again.
• The winger may rediscover the force he resembled during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to regain fitness, fortifying a periodically leaky defence.

This could contain the possibility for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

But then, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt two months ago, nobody thought the midfielder by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while looking like a vital player for the national team.

The current run is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner stood in front of the home supporters after the match leading the celebrations, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.