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A mere 60 days prior when Morgan Rogers was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as his coach berated him for not reading a through-ball. At that point, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were a symptom or the source for Villa's more general malaise.

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

In the latest match, however, the sideline response was far more favourable. When Rogers drilled in his second to restore his side's advantage, Emery tore off his jacket, spread his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club continued to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win their opening six fixtures, now sit just three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Hopefuls?

That’s an exceptionally difficult query to resolve. Past precedent, the traditional standing of the club, argues against it. Additionally, their performances haven't been entirely convincing during this run, even as the wins have piled up.

According to statistical analysis, on just two occasions have Villa registered an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a team who have put together 10 in a row, Villa appear weirdly vulnerable – but currently the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

The current approach appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and then rely on Rogers to rescue them with a couple of precise efforts. This was the case against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and it happened against United.

Rogers' first goal originated from an exquisite effort, curled precisely inside the upright from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one capitalizing 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.”

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opponents registered more shots and more direct attempts. Villa have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean might be the biggest rival the club have to face in the near future. Rogers, surely, cannot maintain thrashing the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Could it be an alternative path where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures may yet return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
• The attacking talent might become the player he resembled in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually return from injury, bolstering a sometimes shaky backline.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a title challenge, but they surely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Aston Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And without a doubt back in October, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge and appearing as a crucial player for the national team.

The current run is to be savoured for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As the hero faced the North End at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.