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It was two months in the past that the young forward stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager berated him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. Back then, as the club endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his displays were an indicator or a cause for the side's wider issues.

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

In the latest match, in contrast, the touchline reaction proved to be much more joyous. After the England international swept in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate his side's advantage, the boss tore off his winter coat, opened his arms and bellowed. Villa continued to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their opening six games, find themselves only three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Title Contenders?

It remains a particularly tough proposition to address. Past precedent, the perceived status of the club, suggests not. Additionally, their performances haven't been entirely convincing during this run, while the positive results have stacked up.

As per Opta, on just two occasions has the side registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a club which has put together a ten-match winning streak, Villa seem strangely fragile – but at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy looks like to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for their talisman to rescue them with some precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it occurred in London, and it happened when facing Manchester United.

His opener originated from a superb shot, curled right inside the goal frame from a wide position. For his second acted as a slightly less clean iteration of the opener capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opponents managed more shots and more shots on target. Villa have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those games.

A reversion to average might be the biggest rival Villa have to face over the coming weeks. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot keep on thrashing the football into the top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is another reality in which, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players could still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The winger might become the player he showed during his peak.
• The defensive duo will eventually return from injury, bolstering a periodically leaky defensive unit.

This could contain the potential of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

However, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And certainly earlier this season, few could imagine the young forward now would be spearheading a title charge while looking like a vital England player.

The current run should be enjoyed for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the hero positioned himself before the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, he appeared to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.