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Just 60 days prior when the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while Unai Emery admonished him over missing a penetrating pass. During that period, with the team went six without a win, the question was if his displays were a symptom or the source of the side's broader struggles.

“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”

On Sunday, however, the touchline reaction was entirely far more favourable. As Rogers swept in his second strike to reclaim his side's advantage, the boss tore off his jacket, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club were on their way to a 10th successive win , despite not winning their opening six games, are somehow a mere three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Hopefuls?

It remains a rather hard question to answer. Past precedent, the traditional standing of Villa, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been completely commanding this season, even as the victories have piled up.

According to Opta, on just two occasions has the team posted an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a team which has just won 10 in a row, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – yet right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach looks like to exchange chances with rivals before hoping Rogers to save the day with some clinical strikes. This occurred away to Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and it happened when facing the Red Devils.

His opener came from an exquisite effort, arced just inside the post from the edge of the area. For his second acted as a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. Against United, the opponents managed more efforts and more shots on target. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those fixtures.

A reversion to average could be the biggest rival they will encounter in the near future. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot maintain drilling the football into the net's top corner forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be another reality where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still find their top level.

• The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the performer he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering a periodically leaky backline.

Maybe within that lies the potential of a title challenge, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

But then, this is a surprise. Nobody thought Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And certainly back in October, few could imagine the young forward as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit while looking like a vital player for the national team.

This winning streak must be cherished precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the hero positioned himself before the Villa faithful when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells do not happen often and should be relished.