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A mere eight weeks prior when Morgan Rogers was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery scolded him for missing a pass in behind. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was if Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause for Villa's wider issues.

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

This weekend, however, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. After the in-form star drilled in his second to restore Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician tore off his jacket, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team marched on to a 10th successive win , despite not winning any of their first six matches, are somehow a mere three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Serious Challengers?

It remains a particularly tough proposition to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they've rarely been completely commanding this season, even as the wins have piled up.

According to the data, twice all season has the team had an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a team that have put together 10 in a row, they look weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the margins are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy seems to be to trade blows with rivals and then rely on their star man to save the day with two precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and again against Manchester United.

His opener stemmed from a superb shot, arced just inside the upright from the edge of the area. For his second acted as a slight scruffier version of the opener as he pounced 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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opponents managed a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. Villa have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those games.

A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge Villa have to face over the coming weeks. Their key man, surely, will not continue to thrashing the football past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Could it be an alternative path where, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players might still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho might become the performer he resembled during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to return from injury, strengthening a periodically leaky backline.

Maybe within that lies the possibility of a title challenge, but they surely cannot keep relying on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

However, this was unforeseen. Few believed Aston Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt earlier this season, nobody thought Rogers as the year closed would be spearheading a hunt for the title while looking like a crucial player for the national team.

This winning streak is to be savoured precisely because it appears so improbable. As the match-winner faced 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 do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.