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It was eight weeks ago that Morgan Rogers stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager scolded him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained if his displays were a symptom or the source of the team's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, in contrast, the touchline reaction proved to be decidedly more positive. As Rogers swept in his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician tore off his jacket, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The team marched on to ten wins in a row and despite not winning their initial half-dozen fixtures, are somehow only three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Challengers?

It remains a particularly tough question to address. Past precedent, the perceived status of Villa, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, while the victories have piled up.

Per Opta, on just two occasions has the team registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a club who have strung together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans look weirdly vulnerable – however currently the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy appears to be to exchange chances with the opposition and wait for their talisman to rescue them with two precise efforts. This was the case away to Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and once more when facing Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal originated from an exquisite effort, curled right inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. For his second was essentially a slight scruffier version of his first capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.

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

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, Manchester United managed more efforts and more shots on target. The team has won each of their last eight by a single goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those games.

Regression to the mean might be the most significant challenge they will encounter in the near future. The forward, surely, cannot maintain thrashing his shots into the top corner forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists another reality whereby, rather than luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward may begin to scoring again.
• The attacking talent could transform into the force he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are due to regain fitness, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would sit third at Christmas. And without a doubt back in October, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be spearheading a title charge and appearing as a vital player for the national team.

This winning streak should be enjoyed for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As the hero faced the Villa faithful at the final whistle leading the celebrations, it was clear to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These spells are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.