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Just two months prior that Morgan Rogers was standing on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager admonished him for missing a through-ball. Back then, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were a sign or a cause for the team'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 touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. As the in-form star swept in his second strike to reclaim the lead for Villa, the boss ripped off his winter coat, spread his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club marched on to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win their opening six matches, are somehow just three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?

This is an exceptionally difficult proposition to address. History, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Additionally, they have not been entirely convincing during this run, despite the fact the wins have stacked up.

Per statistical analysis, in only two games have Villa had an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a club which has put together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans appear strangely fragile – however currently the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy looks like to exchange chances with the opposition and wait for their talisman to rescue them with a couple of crisp finishes. This was the case at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and once more against United.

Rogers' first goal came from an exquisite effort, curled right inside the post from the corner of the box. For his second was essentially a somewhat messier replica of the opener 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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opponents managed more efforts and more direct attempts. The team has secured their last eight victories by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean might be the most significant challenge they must confront as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, cannot maintain blasting the ball into the top corner forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists an alternative path in which, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures might still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins could start adding to his goal tally.
• The winger might become the player he resembled during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

This could contain the seeds for a sustained push, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable the team would be in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt two months ago, no one envisioned the young forward as the year closed would be leading a hunt for the title while looking like a vital Three Lions star.

This winning streak must be cherished precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the hero positioned himself before the North End when the game ended conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and must be appreciated.