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Just eight weeks in the past that Morgan Rogers found himself on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as Unai Emery admonished him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. At that point, as the club endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his performances were a symptom or a cause for the side's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the sideline response was much more joyous. When Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore Villa's lead, the boss tore off his winter coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club marched on to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, find themselves just three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Hopefuls?

This is a rather hard query to address. Past precedent, the perceived status of the club, indicates otherwise. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant during this run, while the positive results have accumulated.

As per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the team registered an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a team that have put together ten consecutive victories, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – yet currently the margins are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic looks like to exchange chances with an opponent and then rely on their talisman to rescue them with two clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and it happened versus the Red Devils.

His opener came from an exquisite effort, bent right inside the post from the edge of the area. For his second proved to be 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, Manchester United managed more efforts 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.

A reversion to average may well be the greatest opponent Villa must confront over the coming weeks. Rogers, almost certainly, will not continue to blasting the football past despairing goalkeepers forever.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is another reality in which, rather than luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures could still find their top level.

• The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent might become the force he resembled during his peak.
• The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, fortifying a periodically leaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would be third at Christmas. And without a doubt two months ago, few could imagine the midfielder now would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while looking like a vital player for the national team.

This winning streak must be cherished for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As the match-winner faced the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.