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It was two months prior when Morgan Rogers stood on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager admonished him over missing a through-ball. During that period, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were a sign or the source for Villa's wider issues.

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

This weekend, however, the manager's outburst was much more joyous. As the in-form star curled home his second to reclaim the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician tore off his coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The team marched on to ten wins in a row , having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, now sit only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Hopefuls?

This is a rather hard query to address. The historical record, the traditional standing of Villa, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they've rarely been entirely convincing in many games, while the victories have accumulated.

Per the data, in only two games has the team posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a side that have just won ten consecutive victories, the Villans seem strangely fragile – yet at the moment the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach looks like to engage in a shootout with rivals and then rely on Rogers to save the day with two crisp finishes. This occurred against Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and it happened when facing United.

His opener came from a superb shot, curled precisely inside the upright from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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, Manchester United had a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. Villa have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean might be the biggest rival they have to face in the near future. Their key man, surely, will not continue to blasting the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is another reality where, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs might still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins might resume finding the net regularly.
• The winger could transform into the force he showed in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually return from injury, strengthening a periodically leaky defensive unit.

This could contain the potential for a sustained push, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Aston Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And certainly back in October, nobody thought Rogers now would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential England player.

The current run should be enjoyed precisely because it appears so improbable. As Rogers stood in front of the North End when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and should be relished.