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It was 60 days ago when the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager admonished him over not reading a pass in behind. Back then, with the team went six without a win, it wasn't clear if his performances were an indicator or a cause for Villa's more general malaise.

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

In the latest match, in contrast, the manager's outburst was entirely decidedly more positive. After the in-form star drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim Villa's lead, Emery tore off his coat, spread his arms and roared. The Birmingham club marched on to ten wins in a row and after failing to win their opening six games, find themselves just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Hopefuls?

This is an exceptionally difficult question to answer. The historical record, the perceived status of this institution, suggests not. Additionally, they have not been entirely convincing this season, while the wins have stacked up.

As per statistical analysis, twice all season has the side posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a side that have put together ten consecutive victories, Villa look strangely fragile – however at the moment the margins are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach seems to be to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with some clinical strikes. This occurred against Leeds, it happened in London, and again against Manchester United.

His opener came from a brilliant finish, curled just inside the post from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first as he seized 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. Against United, Manchester United managed more shots and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all but one of those matches.

A reversion to average may well be the greatest opponent Villa must confront as the season progresses. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling his shots into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is another reality whereby, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still find their top level.

• The main striker might resume adding to his goal tally.
• The winger might become the force he showed in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely two months ago, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a crucial Three Lions star.

The current run is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner stood in front of the North End after the match conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.