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It was eight weeks prior when Morgan Rogers was standing on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while the Villa manager scolded him for not reading a penetrating pass. During that period, as the club went six without a win, it wasn't clear if his displays were a symptom or a cause of the side's wider issues.

“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. When Rogers curled home his second to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician ripped off his coat, opened his arms and roared. Villa continued to ten wins in a row and after failing to win their opening six games, are somehow only three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?

This is a particularly tough proposition to answer. History, the traditional standing of the club, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been entirely convincing during this run, even as the positive results have stacked up.

Per statistical analysis, on just two occasions have Villa registered an xG significantly higher than the other team. For a club that have strung together 10 in a row, Villa appear curiously susceptible – yet currently the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy appears to be to trade blows with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to rescue them with a couple of precise efforts. This was the case against Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more when facing United.

The initial strike came from a brilliant finish, curled precisely inside the post from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal was essentially 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.”

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opponents managed a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction could be the most significant challenge Villa will encounter as the season progresses. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot keep on thrashing the football into the net's top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Could it be another reality in which, rather than luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players might still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward might resume scoring again.
• The attacking talent could transform into the performer he showed in Germany.
• The defensive duo are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility for a sustained push, but they surely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And certainly back in October, few could imagine the young forward now would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as an essential Three Lions star.

This winning streak should be enjoyed exactly since it feels so unlikely. When Rogers stood in front of the Villa faithful after the match conducting the cheers, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These spells do not happen often and should be relished.