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It was two months prior when Morgan Rogers found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as Unai Emery berated him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. During that period, as Villa went six without a win, it wasn't clear if his displays were a symptom or the source for the team's broader struggles.

“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”

In the latest match, however, the sideline response was far more favourable. When the England international curled home his brace-sealing goal to reclaim the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The team marched on to ten wins in a row and despite not winning their opening six fixtures, are somehow a mere three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Challengers?

This is a particularly tough proposition to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they've rarely been completely commanding during this run, despite the fact the victories have piled up.

As per the data, in only two games have Villa had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a team that have strung together 10 in a row, the Villans look strangely fragile – but at the moment the margins are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy seems to be to trade blows with an opponent before hoping their star man to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. This occurred away to Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and again when facing Manchester United.

The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, curled just inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. For his second proved to be a somewhat messier replica of goal number one as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

“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. During the latest victory, the opposition managed a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. They have won each of their last eight by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean may well be the biggest rival the club will encounter over the coming weeks. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot keep on drilling the ball into the top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists an alternative path in which, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.

• The main striker may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The winger may rediscover the performer he showed in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to regain fitness, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility for a sustained push, but they surely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely back in October, nobody thought the midfielder by the end of the year would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as a vital player for the national team.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed precisely because it seems so surreal. When the hero stood in front of the Villa faithful after the match conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. Such periods do not happen often and must be appreciated.