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Just 60 days in the past when Morgan Rogers stood on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager scolded him for missing a through-ball. Back then, as Villa went six without a win, doubts remained if his performances were a sign or the source for Villa's wider issues.

“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”

This weekend, though, the sideline response was far more favourable. When the in-form star curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate his side's advantage, Emery ripped off his jacket, spread his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row , after failing to win any of their first six matches, are somehow just three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Serious Hopefuls?

That’s a particularly tough question to resolve. Past precedent, the traditional standing of this institution, argues against it. Moreover, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, while the wins have stacked up.

As per the data, twice all season have Villa registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a club who have put together a ten-match winning streak, they look strangely fragile – yet currently the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic appears to be to trade blows with an opponent before hoping their star man to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. This occurred at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened versus Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal originated from a superb shot, curled just inside the post from a wide position. For his second acted as a slight scruffier version of goal number one capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.

“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.”

Can It Last?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opponents had more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those matches.

A reversion to average could be the biggest rival they have to face over the coming weeks. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain blasting his shots into the net's top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists an alternative path in which, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs may yet return to peak condition.

• The main striker may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The winger could transform into the force he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are set to regain fitness, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, this was unforeseen. Few believed Aston Villa would be third at Christmas. And most definitely back in October, no one envisioned Rogers now would be spearheading a title charge while looking like a crucial England player.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed precisely because it seems so surreal. When Rogers stood in front of the North End at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.