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A mere 60 days ago when the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as his coach scolded him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. During that period, as the club endured a six-game winless run, the question was if his performances were a sign or the source for the team's wider issues.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the touchline reaction was entirely much more joyous. When the in-form star drilled in his brace-sealing goal to restore Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician ripped off his winter coat, spread his arms and roared. The Birmingham club were on their way to a 10th successive win and after failing to win their initial half-dozen games, find themselves a mere three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Title Contenders?

That’s an exceptionally difficult question to answer. The historical record, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Additionally, they have not been entirely convincing this season, even as the positive results have accumulated.

As per statistical analysis, in only two games has the team had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a team which has strung together ten consecutive victories, they appear curiously susceptible – yet right now the margins are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic seems to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and then rely on their star man to save the day with some clinical strikes. This was the case against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and it happened versus Manchester United.

His opener originated from a brilliant finish, arced just inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of his first capitalizing 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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opposition managed more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those fixtures.

A reversion to average may well be the most significant challenge the club will encounter as the season progresses. Their key man, surely, cannot keep on blasting his shots into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward could start scoring again.
• The winger might become the player he resembled during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs are due to regain fitness, fortifying a sometimes shaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility for a sustained push, but they surely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt two months ago, few could imagine the midfielder by the end of the year would be spearheading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a crucial Three Lions star.

The current run is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. When the match-winner faced the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and should be relished.