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A mere two months in the past that Morgan Rogers stood on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as Unai Emery admonished him for missing a pass in behind. During that period, as the club went six without a win, doubts remained if his performances were an indicator or the reason for Villa's more general malaise.

“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”

On Sunday, however, the sideline response proved to be decidedly more positive. When the in-form star swept in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate his side's advantage, Emery tore off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The team continued to a 10th successive win and having failed to win their opening six fixtures, find themselves a mere three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Challengers?

That’s an exceptionally difficult question to resolve. History, the perceived status of Villa, suggests not. Moreover, they have not been entirely convincing in many games, despite the fact the victories have stacked up.

Per statistical analysis, twice all season has the side registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a side that have just won a ten-match winning streak, the Villans seem strangely fragile – but at the moment the margins are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy seems to be to trade blows with the opposition before hoping Rogers to save the day with some clinical strikes. This occurred at Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened when facing Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, bent just inside the post from the edge of the area. For his second proved to be a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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.”

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opposition managed more efforts and more direct attempts. They have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge Villa will encounter over the coming weeks. Rogers, surely, will not continue to drilling the football into the net's top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Could it be an alternative path in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures may yet find their top level.

• The main striker could start scoring again.
• The winger could transform into the performer he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually regain fitness, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely can continue to depend solely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, few could imagine the young forward as the year closed would be spearheading a title charge and appearing as a crucial player for the national team.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed precisely because it appears so improbable. When the hero faced the Villa faithful when the game ended orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.