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A mere eight weeks in the past when Morgan Rogers was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while his coach berated him for not reading a through-ball. Back then, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained whether his displays were an indicator or the reason for the team's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the touchline reaction was decidedly more positive. After the England international swept in his second strike to restore his side's advantage, Emery tore off his coat, opened his arms and roared. The Birmingham club were on their way to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win their opening six games, are somehow just three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?

It remains a rather hard question to answer. History, the perceived status of the club, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they've rarely been completely commanding this season, despite the fact the victories have accumulated.

According to the data, twice all season have Villa had an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a club that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, they look curiously susceptible – however right now the margins are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy seems to be to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on Rogers to rescue them with two clinical strikes. This occurred away to Leeds, it transpired in London, and again versus the Red Devils.

The initial strike came from a brilliant finish, bent just inside the post from the corner of the box. For his second proved to be a slight scruffier version of the opener as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.

“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?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, Manchester United managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent Villa must confront as the season progresses. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling his shots into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists a different scenario whereby, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures might still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins might resume finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the performer he showed during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to return from injury, bolstering a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the possibility of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would be third at Christmas. And without a doubt earlier this season, nobody thought Rogers by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while looking like an essential England player.

This winning streak is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner faced the home supporters at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.