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Just eight weeks ago when Morgan Rogers stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery berated him over missing a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if his performances were a sign or the source for Villa's more general malaise.

“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”

This weekend, though, the sideline response was entirely much more joyous. When the England international curled home his second to reinstate Villa's lead, the boss discarded his jacket, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa were on their way to a 10th successive win and having failed to win their opening six games, are somehow only three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Hopefuls?

That’s an exceptionally difficult query to address. History, the perceived status of this institution, argues against it. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing in many games, even as the victories have piled up.

Per statistical analysis, twice all season have Villa had an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a team that have just won a ten-match winning streak, the Villans look strangely fragile – but right now the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy appears to be to engage in a shootout with rivals before hoping Rogers to save the day with two crisp finishes. It happened away to Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and again versus Manchester United.

His opener stemmed from a brilliant finish, curled just inside the upright from the corner of the box. For his second was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced 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?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, Manchester United had more shots and more shots on target. They have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those games.

A statistical correction might be the biggest rival they have to face over the coming weeks. Their key man, surely, cannot maintain drilling his shots past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists an alternative path whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still return to peak condition.

• The main striker may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The winger may rediscover the performer he resembled in Germany.
• The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky backline.

This could contain the seeds for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And certainly two months ago, nobody thought Rogers as the year closed would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as an essential England player.

This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. When the match-winner stood in front of the home supporters after the match leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.