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A mere eight weeks prior that the young forward found himself on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery berated him for missing a penetrating pass. At that point, as Villa failed to win in six, doubts remained if his performances were an indicator or the source of Villa's broader struggles.

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

In the latest match, however, the touchline reaction proved to be decidedly more positive. After the England international drilled in his second to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician tore off his winter coat, opened his arms and bellowed. Villa marched on to a 10th successive win and after failing to win any of their first six matches, now sit a mere three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Hopefuls?

It remains an exceptionally difficult proposition to resolve. Past precedent, the traditional standing of this institution, argues against it. Furthermore, their performances haven't been completely commanding this season, despite the fact the positive results have accumulated.

According to the data, on just two occasions has the team posted an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a side which has just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa seem weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic looks like to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on their talisman to save the day with some crisp finishes. It happened against Leeds, it transpired in London, and once more versus Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal originated from an exquisite effort, curled just inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opponents managed more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has won each of their last eight by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those games.

Regression to the mean may well be the biggest rival the club will encounter in the near future. The forward, almost certainly, cannot maintain drilling his shots past despairing goalkeepers forever.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is another reality in which, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs might still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker may begin to scoring again.
• The winger might become the performer he resembled in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a sometimes shaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the potential for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable the team would sit third at Christmas. And certainly back in October, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit and appearing as a vital Three Lions star.

The current run must be cherished precisely because it seems so surreal. When the match-winner faced the North End after the match leading the celebrations, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.