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It was eight weeks in the past when Morgan Rogers stood on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as his coach scolded him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. Back then, as Villa failed to win in six, it wasn't clear whether his performances were a sign or the source for the side's wider issues.

“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”

This weekend, though, the touchline reaction proved to be much more joyous. As the in-form star swept in his second strike to restore his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician ripped off his jacket, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The team continued to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win their initial half-dozen games, now sit a mere three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Challengers?

It remains a particularly tough question to resolve. History, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Additionally, they have not been wholly dominant this season, even as the positive results have accumulated.

Per statistical analysis, in only two games have Villa posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a team that have just won 10 in a row, Villa appear weirdly vulnerable – however right now the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy looks like to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on their star man to rescue them with a couple of crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and once more versus the Red Devils.

His opener stemmed from an exquisite effort, bent just inside the post from a wide position. For his second acted as a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

“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?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opponents registered more shots and more efforts on goal. They have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all except one of those games.

A reversion to average may well be the greatest opponent they will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling the ball into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists another reality whereby, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures may yet find their top level.

• The main striker may begin to scoring again.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the performer he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the potential for a sustained push, but they surely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, few could imagine Rogers now would be leading a title charge and appearing as a vital player for the national team.

The current run is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. As Rogers stood in front of the Villa faithful after the match conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.