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It was eight weeks ago when Morgan Rogers was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as Unai Emery admonished him for missing a through-ball. Back then, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, the question was if Rogers' form were an indicator or a cause of the side's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, though, the touchline reaction was decidedly more positive. When Rogers drilled in his second strike to restore his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician tore off his jacket, opened his arms and bellowed. The team continued to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their opening six matches, are somehow only three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Serious Hopefuls?

It remains an exceptionally difficult query to address. History, the traditional standing of this institution, argues against it. Moreover, they've rarely been completely commanding this season, despite the fact the victories have piled up.

Per statistical analysis, twice all season has the side registered an xG notably superior than the other team. For a team who have just won ten consecutive victories, they appear strangely fragile – however currently the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach seems to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and then rely on Rogers to save the day with some precise efforts. This was the case at Leeds, it transpired in London, and again when facing Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a superb shot, curled just inside the post from a wide position. His brace-completing goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of his first capitalizing 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opponents had more shots and more shots on target. They have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those matches.

A reversion to average may well be the most significant challenge the club will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot keep on thrashing the ball past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists another reality where, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures may yet return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward could start adding to his goal tally.
• The winger might become the performer he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually come back from the treatment room, strengthening a periodically leaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this is a surprise. Few believed the team would be third at Christmas. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine the young forward now would be spearheading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.

This remarkable period is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. As Rogers stood in front of the home supporters at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are rare in football and must be appreciated.