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A mere eight weeks ago when Morgan Rogers stood on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while the Villa manager berated him for missing a through-ball. Back then, with the team went six without a win, the question was whether his performances were an indicator or the reason for the team's more general malaise.

“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”

On Sunday, in contrast, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. After the England international swept in his second to restore his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician ripped off his winter coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The team marched on to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win any of their first six fixtures, find themselves just three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Challengers?

It remains an exceptionally difficult proposition to resolve. Past precedent, the perceived status of the club, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been completely commanding this season, even as the victories have stacked up.

Per Opta, twice all season has the team registered an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a side that have just won ten consecutive victories, they seem curiously susceptible – yet currently the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy appears to be to trade blows with rivals and then rely on their talisman to save the day with a couple of precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and once more against United.

His opener stemmed from a superb shot, arced just inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he pounced 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.”

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, Manchester United had a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. Villa have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction might be the biggest rival the club will encounter as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on drilling the ball past despairing goalkeepers forever.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists an alternative path whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs might still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward could start adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent could transform into the player he showed during his peak.
• The defensive duo are set to come back from the treatment room, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a genuine bid, but they surely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

But then, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought the team would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely earlier this season, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be leading a title charge while looking like an essential England player.

This winning streak should be enjoyed for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As the hero stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.