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It was eight weeks prior when Morgan Rogers found himself on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery berated him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. Back then, as the club endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were a symptom or the source for the team's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, however, the sideline response proved to be decidedly more positive. As the in-form star drilled in his second strike to reinstate his side's advantage, Emery discarded his jacket, spread his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club marched on to ten wins in a row and despite not winning any of their first six games, now sit a mere three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Hopefuls?

It remains an exceptionally difficult query to resolve. Past precedent, the traditional standing of Villa, argues against it. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant this season, even as the wins have piled up.

According to statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the team registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a side that have strung together 10 in a row, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – however at the moment the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach seems to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and wait for their talisman to save the day with some clinical strikes. This occurred away to Leeds, it occurred in London, and it happened against Manchester United.

The initial strike originated from a superb shot, arced just inside the post from the corner of the box. For his second proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

Can It Last?

Logic says not. Against United, the opposition registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those fixtures.

A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent they have to face as the season progresses. Their key man, surely, cannot maintain drilling his shots past despairing goalkeepers forever.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists another reality in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures might still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward may begin to scoring again.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the player he resembled in Germany.
• The defensive duo are set to regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.

This could contain the seeds of a genuine bid, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought Rogers now would be leading a title charge while looking like a crucial England player.

The current run must be cherished for the very reason that it appears so improbable. When the hero faced the Villa faithful at the final whistle conducting the cheers, it was clear to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are rare in football and must be appreciated.