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Just eight weeks ago when Morgan Rogers was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as Unai Emery berated him for not reading a through-ball. During that period, as Villa went six without a win, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were a symptom or the source of the team's wider issues.

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

This weekend, though, the sideline response proved to be far more favourable. When the in-form star swept in his second strike to reclaim Villa's lead, Emery discarded his coat, spread his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club marched on to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their opening six games, are somehow only three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Hopefuls?

That’s an exceptionally difficult proposition to resolve. History, the traditional standing of this institution, argues against it. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing in many games, despite the fact the positive results have stacked up.

According to Opta, on just two occasions has the side had an xG significantly higher than the other team. For a team which has strung together ten consecutive victories, they look strangely fragile – however at the moment the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and wait for Rogers to bail them out with two crisp finishes. This occurred away to Leeds, it happened in London, and again against United.

The initial strike stemmed from a brilliant finish, curled precisely inside the post from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of the opener 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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opponents had more shots and more efforts on goal. They have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those games.

A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival they must confront as the season progresses. Their key man, surely, will not continue to drilling the ball into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be an alternative path whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures could still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins might resume finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the performer he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to regain fitness, fortifying a periodically leaky backline.

This could contain the possibility for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Villa would be third at Christmas. And certainly two months ago, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be spearheading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a vital England player.

This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As Rogers faced the home supporters at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. Such periods are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.