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Just 60 days ago that Morgan Rogers stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager berated him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, as the club endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his displays were a sign or a cause of the side's wider issues.

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

In the latest match, though, the manager's outburst was entirely decidedly more positive. When the England international swept in his second strike to reclaim the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician discarded his winter coat, opened his arms and roared. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their opening six games, find themselves only three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Hopefuls?

This is an exceptionally difficult question to address. History, the perceived status of this institution, suggests not. Moreover, their performances haven't been entirely convincing in many games, even as the wins have piled up.

As per statistical analysis, twice all season have Villa posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a side who have strung together a ten-match winning streak, they appear curiously susceptible – yet right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy appears to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition and then rely on their star man to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. This was the case against Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again against the Red Devils.

The initial strike came from a brilliant finish, curled just inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a slight scruffier version of the opener capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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. In the recent win, the opposition had a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. Villa have won each of their last eight by just one goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean could be the biggest rival they will encounter over the coming weeks. Rogers, almost certainly, will not continue to drilling the football into the net's top corner forever.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is an alternative path where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs may yet return to peak condition.

• The main striker could start scoring again.
• The attacking talent could transform into the player he was during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs are due to return from injury, fortifying a sometimes shaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Aston Villa would be third at Christmas. And certainly earlier this season, few could imagine the midfielder now would be spearheading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as an essential England player.

This winning streak should be enjoyed for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As the hero stood in front of the North End after the match conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.