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It was two months ago when Morgan Rogers was standing on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery scolded him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, as the club failed to win in six, doubts remained if his performances were a sign or a cause for the side's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, however, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. After the in-form star swept in his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, the boss tore off his winter coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The team continued to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win their initial half-dozen matches, find themselves just three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Challengers?

It remains an exceptionally difficult query to address. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, argues against it. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing during this run, even as the victories have piled up.

According to the data, on just two occasions have Villa registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a club that have just won 10 in a row, Villa seem weirdly vulnerable – yet currently the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic appears to be to trade blows with an opponent and wait for their talisman to save the day with some clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened versus the Red Devils.

The initial strike originated from a superb shot, arced right inside the post from a wide position. His brace-completing goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he pounced 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?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opponents had more efforts and more shots on target. The team has won each of their last eight by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those matches.

A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent Villa will encounter in the near future. The forward, surely, cannot maintain thrashing the football past despairing goalkeepers forever.

A Case for Belief

Could it be an alternative path whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players might still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins might resume finding the net regularly.
• The winger may rediscover the force he was during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to return from injury, strengthening a sometimes shaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would be in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt two months ago, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be spearheading a championship pursuit and appearing as a crucial player for the national team.

This remarkable period must be cherished for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As Rogers positioned himself before the home supporters at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These spells are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.