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Just eight weeks ago when Morgan Rogers found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery scolded him for not reading a pass in behind. During that period, with the team endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether his displays were an indicator or the source of Villa's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, however, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. After Rogers swept in his second strike to restore the lead for Villa, the boss discarded his coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. Villa continued to ten wins in a row and despite not winning any of their first six matches, are somehow a mere three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Challengers?

That’s an exceptionally difficult proposition to address. History, a general sense of this institution, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they have not been wholly dominant during this run, even as the victories have piled up.

As per the data, in only two games has the side posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a team which has just won a ten-match winning streak, they look weirdly vulnerable – however currently the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with an opponent and wait for Rogers to rescue them with a couple of precise efforts. This occurred against Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and it happened when facing the Red Devils.

The initial strike stemmed from a brilliant finish, curled right inside the post from the edge of the area. For his second was essentially a somewhat messier replica of goal number one as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opposition registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those matches.

Regression to the mean might be the most significant challenge the club must confront in the near future. Rogers, surely, will not continue to drilling the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is an alternative path whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The winger could transform into the force he resembled in Germany.
• The defensive duo are set to return from injury, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defence.

This could contain the seeds of a genuine bid, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely back in October, nobody thought Rogers now would be leading a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial England player.

This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the match-winner positioned himself before the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are rare in football and must be appreciated.