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It was eight weeks in the past when the young forward stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while his coach berated him for not reading a pass in behind. During that period, as the club failed to win in six, the question was if his performances were a symptom or the source for the team's more general malaise.

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

On Sunday, however, the manager's outburst was much more joyous. As the England international swept in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his coat, opened his arms and roared. The Birmingham club continued to a tenth straight victory and despite not winning any of their first six games, are somehow just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Hopefuls?

This is a particularly tough query to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, their performances haven't been completely commanding in many games, despite the fact the victories have piled up.

Per statistical analysis, twice all season has the team registered an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a club which has just won a ten-match winning streak, the Villans seem strangely fragile – however right now the fine lines are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The current approach seems to be to trade blows with the opposition and then rely on Rogers to rescue them with a couple of precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again when facing United.

The initial strike came from a superb shot, bent just inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. For his second was essentially a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opponents registered a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those games.

A statistical correction might be the greatest opponent Villa will encounter in the near future. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot maintain blasting his shots into the top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Could it be another reality in which, rather than luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins might resume finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent might become the player he showed during his peak.
• The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.

This could contain the possibility of a title challenge, but they surely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt earlier this season, few could imagine the midfielder by the end of the year would be spearheading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.

The current run should be enjoyed precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner positioned himself before the North End at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.