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Just eight weeks ago that Morgan Rogers was standing on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager scolded him over not reading a penetrating pass. During that period, as Villa failed to win in six, doubts remained if his performances were a sign or the source of Villa's more general malaise.

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

In the latest match, though, the manager's outburst proved to be decidedly more positive. As Rogers drilled in his second to restore Villa's lead, the boss discarded his winter coat, spread his arms and bellowed. Villa were on their way to a 10th successive win , having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, are somehow only three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?

This is a particularly tough question to address. The historical record, the traditional standing of the club, suggests not. Furthermore, they have not been wholly dominant during this run, while the positive results have stacked up.

Per statistical analysis, in only two games have Villa posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a club which has strung together 10 in a row, they appear curiously susceptible – yet currently the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with an opponent and then rely on their talisman to rescue them with some precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and again when facing United.

His opener originated from a brilliant finish, curled just inside the post from a wide position. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.

“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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opposition registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those games.

Regression to the mean might be the biggest rival Villa must confront as the season progresses. Rogers, surely, cannot maintain drilling the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is another reality whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins could start finding the net regularly.
• The winger might become the player he was in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are due to regain fitness, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

However, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Aston Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the midfielder as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit and appearing as a vital player for the national team.

This winning streak must be cherished precisely because it seems so surreal. When Rogers faced the North End after the match leading the celebrations, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These runs of form are rare in football and should be relished.