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A mere 60 days prior when Morgan Rogers stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery scolded him for not reading a pass in behind. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, the question was if his performances were a symptom or a cause for Villa's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, in contrast, the sideline response was entirely decidedly more positive. When Rogers drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate Villa's lead, the boss tore off his winter coat, opened his arms and roared. The Birmingham club continued to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win any of their first six games, are somehow just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Serious Challengers?

That’s a particularly tough query to answer. The historical record, a general sense of this institution, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they've rarely been wholly dominant this season, even as the wins have piled up.

According to the data, in only two games has the team posted an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a team which has strung together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans appear weirdly vulnerable – but currently the margins are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy looks like to trade blows with rivals and wait for their star man to rescue them with a couple of precise efforts. This occurred at Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and once more versus Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal originated from a brilliant finish, bent just inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of his first as he seized 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opponents managed more shots and more direct attempts. The team has secured their last eight victories by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean may well be the greatest opponent Villa have to face over the coming weeks. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot keep on drilling the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is another reality whereby, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
• The winger could transform into the player he resembled during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually return from injury, bolstering a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the potential for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And certainly two months ago, no one envisioned Rogers now would be spearheading a championship pursuit while looking like an essential England player.

This remarkable period must be cherished for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the match-winner stood in front of the home supporters at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.