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A mere eight weeks prior when Morgan Rogers stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery berated him over not reading a through-ball. Back then, as Villa went six without a win, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were a symptom or the source of Villa's wider issues.

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

This weekend, though, the manager's outburst was much more joyous. As Rogers drilled in his brace-sealing goal to restore Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician tore off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. Villa continued to a 10th successive win and after failing to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, find themselves a mere three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Challengers?

It remains an exceptionally difficult proposition to resolve. History, the traditional standing of the club, argues against it. Moreover, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, even as the wins have piled up.

As per statistical analysis, twice all season has the team registered an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a team who have just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa appear weirdly vulnerable – but right now the margins are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy appears to be to trade blows with rivals before hoping Rogers to save the day with a couple of precise efforts. This was the case against Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more against United.

His opener came from an exquisite effort, arced right inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of his first capitalizing 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?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opponents registered more shots and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those matches.

Regression to the mean could be the most significant challenge the club must confront over the coming weeks. The forward, almost certainly, cannot maintain drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists another reality in which, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures could still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The winger might become the performer he was in Germany.
• The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

This could contain the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this is a surprise. Nobody thought Aston Villa would sit third at Christmas. And without a doubt two months ago, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be leading a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial England player.

This winning streak should be enjoyed for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As the match-winner positioned himself before the North End when the game ended conducting the cheers, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.