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Just eight weeks in the past that Morgan Rogers was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager admonished him over missing a pass in behind. Back then, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if his performances were a symptom or the reason for Villa's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, however, the manager's outburst proved to be far more favourable. After Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The Birmingham club marched on to ten wins in a row , despite not winning any of their first six matches, are somehow a mere three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Challengers?

It remains a rather hard proposition to address. History, the perceived status of this institution, suggests not. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant during this run, while the positive results have piled up.

Per statistical analysis, in only two games has the side registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a team which has just won ten consecutive victories, the Villans look weirdly vulnerable – but right now the margins are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic looks like to trade blows with an opponent and wait for Rogers to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. This occurred at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened against Manchester United.

The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, bent precisely inside the upright from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of his first 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.”

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, Manchester United managed more efforts and more shots on target. The team has secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those games.

Regression to the mean could be the greatest opponent the club have to face as the season progresses. Their key man, almost certainly, will not continue to blasting his shots past despairing goalkeepers forever.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists another reality in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward could start finding the net regularly.
• The winger could transform into the performer he resembled in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are set to regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while looking like a crucial player for the national team.

The current run must be cherished precisely because it feels so unlikely. As Rogers stood in front of the home supporters after the match orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.