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Just eight weeks in the past when Morgan Rogers found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as his coach berated him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. During that period, with the team endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if his displays were a symptom or the reason for 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 was far more favourable. After the in-form star curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate the lead for Villa, Emery ripped off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. Villa were on their way to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win their opening six matches, are somehow a mere three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Hopefuls?

That’s a particularly tough query to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been entirely convincing during this run, while the victories have piled up.

Per Opta, twice all season have Villa had an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a club that have put together 10 in a row, the Villans look weirdly vulnerable – however currently the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach appears to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and then rely on Rogers to save the day with some clinical strikes. This occurred at Leeds, it transpired in London, and it happened when facing the Red Devils.

The initial strike stemmed from an exquisite effort, bent just inside the upright from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of goal number one capitalizing 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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opponents registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those games.

A statistical correction might be the most significant challenge Villa have to face in the near future. The forward, surely, cannot keep on drilling the ball into the net's top corner forever.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists an alternative path in which, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures could still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent might become the player he was during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to return from injury, bolstering a periodically leaky backline.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

But then, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine Rogers by the end of the year would be leading a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial England player.

This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When the hero stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.