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Just eight weeks ago that Morgan Rogers found himself on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while Unai Emery admonished him over missing a pass in behind. Back then, with the team went six without a win, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were a sign or a cause for 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 manager's outburst was entirely decidedly more positive. As Rogers curled home his second strike to reclaim Villa's lead, the boss tore off his winter coat, spread his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club were on their way to a tenth straight victory and despite not winning their opening six matches, now sit a mere three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Challengers?

This is a rather hard question to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they have not been wholly dominant during this run, despite the fact the positive results have accumulated.

As per Opta, twice all season have Villa posted an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a team who have strung together ten consecutive victories, they seem curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach looks like to exchange chances with rivals before hoping Rogers to bail them out with a couple of clinical strikes. This was the case at Leeds, it transpired in London, and once more versus United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a brilliant finish, arced precisely inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. For his second acted as a somewhat messier replica of the opener 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.”

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opponents registered a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. Villa have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those fixtures.

A reversion to average might be the biggest rival the club have to face as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, cannot maintain drilling the football into the top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists an alternative path in which, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players could still find their top level.

• The main striker might resume scoring again.
• The winger might become the force he was in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually regain fitness, strengthening a sometimes shaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the seeds for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would be third at Christmas. And certainly back in October, nobody thought Rogers now would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a crucial Three Lions star.

This winning streak must be cherished precisely because it feels so unlikely. When the hero stood in front of the home supporters when the game ended orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.