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It was two months prior when Morgan Rogers found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while his coach admonished him over missing a pass in behind. Back then, as Villa failed to win in six, the question was whether his displays were an indicator or a cause for the team'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, in contrast, the manager's outburst was entirely much more joyous. As the in-form star curled home his second to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club marched on to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, are somehow a mere three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?

This is a rather hard query to resolve. History, the perceived status of this institution, argues against it. Furthermore, they have not been completely commanding this season, while the wins have stacked up.

Per Opta, in only two games has the side posted an xG notably superior than the other team. For a club which has just won a ten-match winning streak, the Villans appear strangely fragile – however at the moment the fine lines are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The current approach seems to be to trade blows with the opposition and then rely on Rogers to rescue them with two precise efforts. This occurred at Leeds, it transpired in London, and again against the Red Devils.

The initial strike originated from an exquisite effort, bent right inside the goal frame from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of his first capitalizing 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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opposition managed a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those fixtures.

A statistical correction might be the biggest rival Villa will encounter in the near future. The forward, surely, cannot keep on drilling his shots into the top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists another reality whereby, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players may yet find their top level.

• The main striker might resume finding the net regularly.
• The winger may rediscover the force he was during his peak.
• The defensive duo will eventually return from injury, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a genuine bid, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this was unforeseen. Few believed Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt back in October, nobody thought Rogers now would be spearheading a title charge while looking like a vital player for the national team.

The current run is to be savoured for the very reason that it appears so improbable. When the match-winner faced the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.