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A mere eight weeks prior when Morgan Rogers was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while his coach berated him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. Back then, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if his displays were a symptom or the source for the team's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, however, the touchline reaction proved to be much more joyous. When Rogers curled home his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. Villa continued to a 10th successive win , having failed to win any of their first six games, are somehow a mere three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Hopefuls?

It remains an exceptionally difficult proposition to address. The historical record, the traditional standing of this institution, argues against it. Additionally, they've rarely been wholly dominant this season, while the positive results have piled up.

Per the data, on just two occasions have Villa posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a club that have strung together 10 in a row, Villa seem strangely fragile – yet right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for their talisman to bail them out with some crisp finishes. This occurred against Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and it happened when facing Manchester United.

The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, arced right inside the post from a wide position. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he seized 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opponents managed more shots and more shots on target. Villa have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those games.

Regression to the mean may well be the most significant challenge they must confront as the season progresses. The forward, in all likelihood, will not continue to blasting his shots into the top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures might still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the performer he was in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually regain fitness, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

But then, this was unforeseen. Few believed the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit and appearing as an essential England player.

This winning streak is to be savoured precisely because it seems so surreal. As the match-winner faced the Villa faithful at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.