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Just eight weeks prior when Morgan Rogers was standing on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while his coach admonished him over not reading a penetrating pass. During that period, as Villa went six without a win, doubts remained if his displays were a symptom or the reason of Villa's more general malaise.

“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 far more favourable. After the in-form star curled home his second strike to restore his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club marched on to ten wins in a row , despite not winning their initial half-dozen games, now sit a mere three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Title Contenders?

It remains a particularly tough query to address. Past precedent, the perceived status of this institution, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the wins have piled up.

As per the data, twice all season has the side had an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a team that have just won a ten-match winning streak, the Villans look strangely fragile – however at the moment the margins are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic seems to be to exchange chances with an opponent and then rely on their star man to bail them out with two clinical strikes. This was the case against Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and it happened when facing the Red Devils.

His opener stemmed from a brilliant finish, bent just inside the post from a wide position. For his second proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

“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, Manchester United managed more shots and more shots on target. The team has won each of their last eight by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those games.

Regression to the mean might be the most significant challenge the club must confront over the coming weeks. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain thrashing the ball into the net's top corner forever.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists a different scenario whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins could start scoring again.
• The winger might become the performer he resembled in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually return from injury, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable the team would occupy third at Christmas. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be spearheading a title charge while looking like an essential player for the national team.

The current run must be cherished exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the hero positioned himself before the home supporters after the match leading the celebrations, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These runs of form are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.