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Just two months ago when Morgan Rogers was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery berated him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. At that point, as the club failed to win in six, it wasn't clear whether his performances were a symptom or a cause of Villa's broader struggles.

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

In the latest match, in contrast, the manager's outburst was entirely far more favourable. After the in-form star curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician discarded his coat, threw his arms wide and roared. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row , despite not winning their opening six games, find themselves only three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Title Contenders?

This is an exceptionally difficult query to address. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Additionally, they have not been wholly dominant during this run, while the wins have accumulated.

According to the data, on just two occasions has the team posted an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a side which has just won ten consecutive victories, they look weirdly vulnerable – however right now the margins are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach appears to be to trade blows with an opponent and wait for their star man to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more against United.

His opener stemmed from a brilliant finish, arced precisely inside the post from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, the opponents registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those matches.

A reversion to average might be the greatest opponent the club will encounter over the coming weeks. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to blasting the football past despairing goalkeepers forever.

Potential for Growth

Could it be an alternative path in which, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker might resume finding the net regularly.
• The winger could transform into the performer he showed in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually come back from the treatment room, strengthening a periodically leaky backline.

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

Savoring the Moment

However, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Villa would sit third at Christmas. And certainly back in October, nobody thought the midfielder now would be spearheading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.

This winning streak should be enjoyed exactly since it appears so improbable. When the match-winner positioned himself before the Villa faithful after the match orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. Such periods are rare in football and must be appreciated.