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It was 60 days ago when Morgan Rogers stood on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery admonished him over missing a pass in behind. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether his performances were a symptom or the reason 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 was far more favourable. When Rogers drilled in his second strike to restore his side's advantage, the boss tore off his jacket, spread his arms and roared. Villa continued to ten wins in a row and having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, now sit just three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Challengers?

It remains a rather hard query to resolve. Past precedent, the perceived status of the club, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been entirely convincing in many games, despite the fact the positive results have accumulated.

According to Opta, in only two games has the team posted an xG notably superior than the other team. For a team that have just won a ten-match winning streak, they appear strangely fragile – yet right now the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic seems to be to exchange chances with rivals before hoping Rogers to save the day with some precise efforts. This occurred at Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again versus United.

The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, curled precisely inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced 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. Against United, the opposition had a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. The team has won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all except one of those games.

Regression to the mean may well be the most significant challenge Villa must confront in the near future. Their key man, in all likelihood, will not continue to blasting his shots into the top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is an alternative path in which, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players might still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins might resume adding to his goal tally.
• The winger could transform into the performer he resembled during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to return from injury, bolstering a periodically leaky backline.

This could contain the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely can continue to depend solely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. Nobody thought the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt two months ago, no one envisioned the young forward now would be spearheading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a crucial England player.

This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As Rogers faced the Villa faithful at the final whistle conducting the cheers, it was clear to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. Such periods are rare in football and must be appreciated.