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A mere two months ago that Morgan Rogers found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while Unai Emery scolded him over not reading a through-ball. Back then, as Villa went six without a win, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were a symptom or the reason of the team's wider issues.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the manager's outburst proved to be much more joyous. As the in-form star swept in his second to restore Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his coat, spread his arms and bellowed. The team continued to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their opening six matches, now sit just three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?

It remains a particularly tough proposition to address. Past precedent, the traditional standing of Villa, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, even as the wins have accumulated.

As per the data, twice all season has the team registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a team who have just won 10 in a row, they seem weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic appears to be to trade blows with rivals and wait for their talisman to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again versus Manchester United.

The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, arced just inside the post from the edge of the area. For his second was essentially a slight scruffier version of his first 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opponents registered a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. They have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all except one of those fixtures.

A reversion to average may well be the biggest rival the club have to face in the near future. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on thrashing the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Could it be a different scenario whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs might still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward could start scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the performer he was in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering a sometimes shaky backline.

Maybe within that lies the possibility for a sustained push, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, this is a surprise. Nobody thought the team would sit in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt two months ago, few could imagine the midfielder now would be at the forefront of a title charge while looking like an essential player for the national team.

The current run should be enjoyed for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the hero positioned himself before the North End at the final whistle conducting the cheers, 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.