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It was eight weeks prior that Morgan Rogers stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery admonished him for not reading a penetrating pass. Back then, as the club endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if his displays were an indicator or a cause of the team's broader struggles.

“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”

In the latest match, however, the touchline reaction was far more favourable. As Rogers drilled in his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician discarded his winter coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row and despite not winning their initial half-dozen matches, are somehow a mere three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Serious Challengers?

That’s a particularly tough question to address. History, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Furthermore, they've rarely been completely commanding this season, while the positive results have stacked up.

As per Opta, in only two games has the side had an xG more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a side who have just won a ten-match winning streak, the Villans appear weirdly vulnerable – but at the moment the margins are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic looks like to exchange chances with rivals before hoping their talisman to rescue them with a couple of precise efforts. This was the case against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and it happened when facing the Red Devils.

The initial strike originated from an exquisite effort, curled right inside the post from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of the opener capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

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

Can It Last?

Logic says not. Against United, the opponents registered more shots 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 reversion to average may well be the biggest rival Villa have to face as the season progresses. The forward, surely, cannot keep on drilling his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists an alternative path whereby, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins could start adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are set to return from injury, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.

This could contain the possibility of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

However, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought the team would be in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt back in October, few could imagine the young forward now would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title and appearing as a vital Three Lions star.

This winning streak should be enjoyed exactly since it appears so improbable. When the match-winner faced the home supporters after the match leading the celebrations, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.