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A mere eight weeks in the past when Morgan Rogers stood on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as Unai Emery admonished him over not reading a penetrating pass. At that point, as the club went six without a win, the question was whether his performances 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, though, the sideline response proved to be decidedly more positive. When Rogers drilled in his second to reinstate Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his coat, opened his arms and roared. The team marched on to ten wins in a row and after failing to win their opening six matches, now sit just three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?

That’s a particularly tough question to address. The historical record, the perceived status of the club, argues against it. Additionally, they've rarely been entirely convincing during this run, despite the fact the victories have accumulated.

Per statistical analysis, in only two games has the team registered an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a club who have put together a ten-match winning streak, they look strangely fragile – yet right now the margins are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and then rely on Rogers to rescue them with two crisp finishes. This was the case against Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and once more versus Manchester United.

His opener stemmed from a superb shot, arced right inside the upright from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

“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?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opposition had more shots and more direct attempts. Villa have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those matches.

A statistical correction might be the most significant challenge the club have to face in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot maintain thrashing the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward might resume adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the force he was in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

This could contain the possibility for a sustained push, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And certainly two months ago, nobody thought the young forward now would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial Three Lions star.

This remarkable period must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. When the hero positioned himself before the Villa faithful after the match leading the celebrations, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These runs of form do not happen often and should be relished.