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Just two months prior when Morgan Rogers stood on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while the Villa manager scolded him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were an indicator or a cause for the team's more general malaise.

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

On Sunday, though, the sideline response proved to be much more joyous. After the in-form star drilled in his second to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician tore off his coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The Birmingham club were on their way to a 10th successive win and after failing to win any of their first six matches, now sit only three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Hopefuls?

This is a rather hard query to address. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing in many games, while the victories have accumulated.

Per the data, in only two games have Villa had an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a side that have just won ten consecutive victories, the Villans seem curiously susceptible – but right now the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy appears to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. This occurred away to Leeds, it occurred in London, and again against Manchester United.

His opener came from an exquisite effort, arced just inside the upright from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of the opener as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

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

How Long Can This Continue?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opponents registered more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has won each of their last eight by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those matches.

A reversion to average might be the biggest rival Villa will encounter as the season progresses. The forward, surely, cannot maintain drilling the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists a different scenario whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still find their top level.

• The centre-forward could start finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent could transform into the force he was during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.

This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely back in October, nobody thought the young forward now would be at the forefront of a title charge while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.

The current run is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. As the hero stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. Such periods are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.