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It was 60 days in the past that Morgan Rogers found himself on the Sunderland turf, looking confused as the Villa manager scolded him over not reading a pass in behind. During that period, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his displays were an indicator or the source 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.”

In the latest match, however, the touchline reaction was far more favourable. After the England international curled home his second strike to reinstate Villa's lead, Emery tore off his coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club were on their way to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, find themselves only three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?

This is a rather hard proposition to resolve. Past precedent, the perceived status of the club, argues against it. Additionally, they've rarely been wholly dominant this season, while the wins have stacked up.

As per Opta, in only two games has the team had an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a team which has just won ten consecutive victories, Villa appear curiously susceptible – but currently the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach seems to be to exchange chances with an opponent and wait for their star man to save the day with two precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and again when facing the Red Devils.

The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, curled right inside the post from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of the opener capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

“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. Against United, Manchester United registered more shots and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those matches.

A reversion to average might be the most significant challenge Villa have to face over the coming weeks. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain drilling his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists a different scenario where, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs might still return to peak condition.

• The main striker could start scoring again.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the player he showed in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually return from injury, fortifying a periodically leaky defensive unit.

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

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this was unforeseen. Few believed the team would be in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward by the end of the year would be spearheading a title charge while establishing himself as a crucial player for the national team.

The current run must be cherished precisely because it appears so improbable. When the match-winner positioned himself before the Villa faithful after the match orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.