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It was two months in the past when Morgan Rogers stood on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as his coach admonished him over missing a through-ball. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, the question was whether his displays were a symptom or a cause of 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 sideline response proved to be decidedly more positive. As the England international swept in his brace-sealing goal to restore the lead for Villa, the boss discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The Birmingham club continued to a 10th successive win , having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, are somehow a mere three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Hopefuls?

That’s a particularly tough query to address. History, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing this season, while the victories have accumulated.

According to Opta, in only two games has the side posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a side who have put together 10 in a row, the Villans seem strangely fragile – but at the moment the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach looks like to exchange chances with an opponent before hoping their star man to bail them out with some crisp finishes. It happened away to Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and once more when facing Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal originated from an exquisite effort, bent just inside the post from the corner of the box. For his second was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opponents had more efforts and more direct attempts. Villa have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those fixtures.

A statistical correction could be the biggest rival the club will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, surely, cannot maintain blasting the ball into the net's top corner forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists an alternative path in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players may yet return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins could start finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the performer he was during his peak.
• The defensive duo are due to return from injury, bolstering a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility for a sustained push, but they surely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, this is a surprise. Few believed Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely two months ago, few could imagine Rogers now would be leading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a crucial Three Lions star.

This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. As Rogers stood in front of the North End at the final whistle leading the celebrations, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are rare in football and should be relished.