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A mere two months prior that Morgan Rogers was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery admonished him for not reading a penetrating pass. Back then, with the team went six without a win, it wasn't clear if his displays were a sign or a cause of Villa's broader struggles.

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

In the latest match, in contrast, the manager's outburst was entirely much more joyous. When Rogers curled home his second strike to restore his side's advantage, Emery ripped off his winter coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club marched on to a 10th successive win , after failing to win their initial half-dozen matches, are somehow only three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Serious Hopefuls?

That’s a particularly tough proposition to answer. History, the traditional standing of the club, suggests not. Furthermore, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, even as the wins have stacked up.

As per the data, twice all season has the team posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a club that have strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa appear strangely fragile – but right now the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach looks like to engage in a shootout with the opposition before hoping their talisman to bail them out with some crisp finishes. This was the case at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and once more against the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a brilliant finish, curled right inside the upright from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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. During the latest victory, the opponents registered more shots and more efforts on goal. They have won each of their last eight by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent they must confront over the coming weeks. Their key man, surely, cannot maintain thrashing the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists another reality where, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures may yet rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward may begin to scoring again.
• The winger may rediscover the force he showed in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

However, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought the team would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine the young forward as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential England player.

The current run must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. When Rogers positioned himself before the home supporters at the final whistle conducting the cheers, it was clear to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These spells are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.