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It was eight weeks prior that Morgan Rogers found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while the Villa manager admonished him over missing a pass in behind. Back then, as the club endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether his displays were an indicator or the source of the side's broader struggles.

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

On Sunday, though, the manager's outburst proved to be decidedly more positive. As the in-form star curled home his second to reinstate Villa's lead, the boss ripped off his winter coat, spread his arms and roared. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row , having failed to win any of their first six matches, find themselves a mere three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?

That’s a rather hard proposition to address. History, the perceived status of this institution, suggests not. Additionally, their performances haven't been completely commanding during this run, even as the positive results have piled up.

Per Opta, twice all season has the side posted an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a side who have just won 10 in a row, Villa appear strangely fragile – but currently the margins are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy looks like to exchange chances with an opponent and then rely on Rogers to bail them out with some precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and once more versus the Red Devils.

His opener originated from an exquisite effort, curled precisely inside the post from a wide position. For his second acted as a slight scruffier version of his first as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opposition registered more shots and more direct attempts. The team has secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those games.

A reversion to average may well be the most significant challenge the club have to face in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, will not continue to drilling his shots past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists an alternative path whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The winger may rediscover the performer he resembled in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually return from injury, fortifying a sometimes shaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the potential for a sustained push, but they surely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Villa would sit third at Christmas. And certainly back in October, nobody thought the midfielder now would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a vital England player.

The current run is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. When Rogers positioned himself before the North End at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.