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It was two months ago that Morgan Rogers found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery scolded him over missing a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was if his displays were an indicator or the source for the side's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, though, the sideline response was decidedly more positive. When the in-form star curled home his second strike to reinstate his side's advantage, the boss tore off his coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory and despite not winning any of their first six matches, now sit a mere three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Challengers?

That’s a rather hard question to address. Past precedent, the traditional standing of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they've rarely been wholly dominant this season, even as the positive results have accumulated.

Per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the team posted an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a team who have strung together 10 in a row, the Villans seem weirdly vulnerable – however currently the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

The current approach looks like to trade blows with the opposition before hoping their star man to save the day with some precise efforts. This was the case at Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and again versus Manchester United.

The initial strike stemmed from a brilliant finish, curled just inside the post from the corner of the box. For his second was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one 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?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opponents had a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all but one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge they have to face in the near future. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain drilling the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Could it be a different scenario in which, rather than luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players may yet find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the force he was during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to return from injury, fortifying a periodically leaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a genuine bid, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And certainly two months ago, nobody thought Rogers by the end of the year would be spearheading a title charge and appearing as a vital Three Lions star.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed precisely because it feels so unlikely. When the hero faced the home supporters at the final whistle leading the celebrations, it was clear to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These spells do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.