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Just eight weeks prior that Morgan Rogers was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while Unai Emery berated him for not reading a pass in behind. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, the question was if Rogers' form were an indicator or the reason of Villa's more general malaise.

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

In the latest match, however, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. As Rogers swept in his second strike to restore Villa's lead, Emery discarded his jacket, opened his arms and bellowed. Villa were on their way to a 10th successive win and despite not winning their initial half-dozen games, now sit just three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Challengers?

This is a particularly tough proposition to resolve. History, a general sense of this institution, suggests not. Furthermore, they have not been wholly dominant this season, while the wins have accumulated.

As per the data, twice all season has the team had an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a team that have just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa look curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the margins are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy looks like to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on their star man to bail them out with two crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and again when facing the Red Devils.

The initial strike stemmed from an exquisite effort, arced just inside the upright from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he seized 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opposition had a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean could be the biggest rival Villa must confront over the coming weeks. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot keep on blasting his shots into the top corner forever.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still find their top level.

• The main striker might resume adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent might become the performer he resembled during his peak.
• The defensive duo are due to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the potential of a title challenge, but they surely cannot keep relying on one man.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Aston Villa would be third at Christmas. And certainly back in October, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a title charge and appearing as an essential Three Lions star.

This remarkable period must be cherished exactly since it appears so improbable. As the match-winner positioned himself before the home supporters at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.