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It was two months ago that Morgan Rogers stood on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager scolded him for missing a through-ball. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained if his performances were an indicator or a cause of the team's more general malaise.

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

On Sunday, however, the manager's outburst was far more favourable. After Rogers drilled in his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, Emery ripped off his winter coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The team marched on to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, are somehow a mere three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Hopefuls?

That’s a particularly tough query to resolve. The historical record, a general sense of this institution, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they've rarely been wholly dominant during this run, even as the wins have accumulated.

According to Opta, on just two occasions has the side had an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a team who have just won ten consecutive victories, the Villans look curiously susceptible – yet currently the margins are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach seems to be to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on Rogers to save the day with some clinical strikes. This was the case against Leeds, it happened in London, and again versus the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal originated from an exquisite effort, bent precisely inside the post from a wide position. For his second acted as a slight scruffier version of his first capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opposition managed a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those fixtures.

A reversion to average could be the biggest rival the club will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, almost certainly, will not continue to blasting the ball into the net's top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Could it be another reality in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures might still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
• The winger could transform into the player he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, strengthening a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the potential for a sustained push, but they surely cannot keep relying on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine Rogers by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while looking like an essential player for the national team.

This winning streak is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the hero positioned himself before the home supporters after the match leading the celebrations, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.