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Just eight weeks prior when Morgan Rogers stood on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while the Villa manager scolded him over missing a through-ball. Back then, as the club went six without a win, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were a symptom or the reason of the team's wider issues.

“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 proved to be decidedly more positive. After the England international curled home his second strike to reinstate Villa's lead, Emery discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and bellowed. Villa continued to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win their initial half-dozen games, are somehow only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Challengers?

That’s a rather hard question to resolve. Past precedent, the traditional standing of the club, suggests not. Additionally, their performances haven't been entirely convincing during this run, despite the fact the wins have piled up.

Per the data, on just two occasions have Villa posted an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a club which has just won ten consecutive victories, they appear strangely fragile – however at the moment the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach seems to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and once more versus United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from an exquisite effort, curled right inside the post from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

“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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, Manchester United had more efforts and more direct attempts. The team has won each of their last eight by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those matches.

A statistical correction might be the biggest rival Villa will encounter in the near future. Their key man, surely, cannot keep on thrashing the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is an alternative path whereby, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures could still find their top level.

• The centre-forward could start scoring again.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the force he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to return from injury, strengthening a sometimes shaky defence.

This could contain the potential for a sustained push, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

However, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, few could imagine the young forward now would be leading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a vital Three Lions star.

This winning streak should be enjoyed precisely because it appears so improbable. As the match-winner faced the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. Such periods are rare in football and should be relished.