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Just 60 days ago when Morgan Rogers stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused as the Villa manager berated him over missing a through-ball. During that period, with the team went six without a win, the question was if Rogers' form were an indicator or the reason of the side's wider issues.

“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”

This weekend, though, the touchline reaction proved to be much more joyous. When the in-form star curled home his second to reclaim Villa's lead, Emery tore off his jacket, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory and despite not winning their opening six games, are somehow a mere three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?

This is a rather hard proposition to address. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, argues against it. Furthermore, they have not been wholly dominant during this run, even as the positive results have accumulated.

As per the data, on just two occasions has the team registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a side which has put together 10 in a row, they appear curiously susceptible – yet right now the margins are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic seems to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for their star man to rescue them with some precise efforts. This occurred at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and it happened when facing Manchester United.

His opener came from an exquisite effort, curled just inside the upright from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

“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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opposition registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has won each of their last eight by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those fixtures.

A reversion to average might be the biggest rival Villa must confront in the near future. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to drilling the ball into the net's top corner forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be another reality whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker might resume finding the net regularly.
• The winger could transform into the performer he resembled during his peak.
• The defensive duo are due to regain fitness, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would be third at Christmas. And most definitely two months ago, few could imagine the young forward by the end of the year would be spearheading a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.

This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. As the hero faced the home supporters at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.