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A mere 60 days prior when Morgan Rogers found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as his coach admonished him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if his displays were a sign or the source of Villa's wider issues.

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

This weekend, however, the touchline reaction proved to be far more favourable. After the England international drilled in his brace-sealing goal to restore Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. The Birmingham club marched on to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win any of their first six games, are somehow just three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Hopefuls?

It remains a rather hard query to resolve. History, the perceived status of Villa, suggests not. Furthermore, they have not been entirely convincing in many games, even as the victories have stacked up.

Per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the team posted an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a side who have just won ten consecutive victories, the Villans look strangely fragile – but right now the margins are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and then rely on their talisman to rescue them with two precise efforts. This occurred against Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and again versus United.

His opener stemmed from a brilliant finish, bent precisely inside the post from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

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

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. Against United, the opponents had a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean might be the most significant challenge Villa must confront in the near future. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to thrashing the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is another reality where, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins could start finding the net regularly.
• The winger could transform into the performer he showed in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to regain fitness, strengthening a sometimes shaky backline.

This could contain the potential of a genuine bid, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, nobody thought Rogers now would be leading a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial player for the national team.

This remarkable period must be cherished precisely because it seems so surreal. When Rogers stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These runs of form are rare in football and must be appreciated.