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Just eight weeks ago that Morgan Rogers was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while his coach berated him for not reading a through-ball. Back then, as the club went six without a win, doubts remained if his displays were a sign or a cause for Villa's wider issues.

“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”

This weekend, though, the touchline reaction was much more joyous. After Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to reclaim Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician ripped off his coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win any of their first six fixtures, find themselves a mere three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?

This is a rather hard question to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the wins have stacked up.

According to the data, on just two occasions has the team registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a club which has put together ten consecutive victories, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – however right now the fine lines are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy looks like to engage in a shootout with rivals before hoping Rogers to bail them out with some clinical strikes. This occurred away to Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again when facing Manchester United.

His opener originated from an exquisite effort, bent right inside the post from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opposition registered more shots and more shots on target. The team has secured their last eight victories by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those matches.

Regression to the mean may well be the greatest opponent they will encounter over the coming weeks. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot keep on thrashing his shots into the net's top corner forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is another reality whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures might still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward could start scoring again.
• The winger could transform into the player he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are due to return from injury, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the possibility of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would sit third at Christmas. And without a doubt two months ago, few could imagine the midfielder now would be leading a championship pursuit and appearing as a crucial Three Lions star.

This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When Rogers stood in front of the home supporters after the match conducting the cheers, it was clear to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These spells do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.