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A mere eight weeks in the past that Morgan Rogers was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery admonished him over missing a penetrating pass. At that point, as Villa failed to win in six, doubts remained if Rogers' form were an indicator or the source for the team's wider issues.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the sideline response was entirely far more favourable. After Rogers drilled in his second strike to reinstate Villa's lead, the boss ripped off his jacket, opened his arms and bellowed. Villa continued to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win their opening six fixtures, are somehow a mere three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Hopefuls?

This is an exceptionally difficult query to resolve. History, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, even as the victories have accumulated.

As per statistical analysis, twice all season has the team posted an xG notably superior than the other team. For a team that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – but at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach looks like to engage in a shootout with the opposition and wait for Rogers to bail them out with some clinical strikes. This was the case at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and again versus Manchester United.

The initial strike stemmed from a brilliant finish, bent precisely inside the post from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, Manchester United managed more efforts and more direct attempts. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those games.

A statistical correction might be the greatest opponent Villa must confront over the coming weeks. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain thrashing his shots into the top corner forever.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists an alternative path in which, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players could still return to peak condition.

• The main striker might resume scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho might become the player he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are set to regain fitness, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, this is a surprise. Few believed Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, few could imagine the young forward as the year closed would be leading a title charge while looking like a vital player for the national team.

This winning streak is to be savoured precisely because it appears so improbable. When the hero positioned himself before the Villa faithful when the game ended leading the celebrations, he appeared to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These spells are rare in football and must be appreciated.