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A mere 60 days prior that Morgan Rogers found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager scolded him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. During that period, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether Rogers' form were an indicator or the source of Villa's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, though, the manager's outburst was far more favourable. As Rogers swept in his second to reclaim his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, opened his arms and bellowed. The team marched on to a 10th successive win , despite not winning their initial half-dozen fixtures, find themselves only three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Hopefuls?

It remains a rather hard question to resolve. Past precedent, the traditional standing of this institution, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant this season, while the positive results have accumulated.

According to Opta, twice all season has the side posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a team who have put together a ten-match winning streak, Villa appear curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy looks like to engage in a shootout with rivals before hoping their star man to save the day with a couple of clinical strikes. This occurred at Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again versus United.

The initial strike came from a superb shot, curled right inside the post from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of goal number one capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

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

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, Manchester United managed more efforts and more direct attempts. Villa have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean may well be the most significant challenge the club will encounter over the coming weeks. Rogers, surely, cannot maintain drilling the football into the top corner forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists another reality where, rather than luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs may yet return to peak condition.

• The main striker might resume finding the net regularly.
• The winger might become the player he was in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to regain fitness, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would be in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely earlier this season, no one envisioned Rogers now would be at the forefront of a title charge and appearing as a crucial player for the national team.

The current run should be enjoyed exactly since it feels so unlikely. As Rogers faced the Villa faithful after the match leading the celebrations, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are rare in football and must be appreciated.