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Just eight weeks ago that Morgan Rogers found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery admonished him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. Back then, with the team went six without a win, the question was whether Rogers' form were a sign or the reason of the side's wider issues.

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

This weekend, though, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. After Rogers drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim his side's advantage, the boss tore off his winter coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The team continued to a 10th successive win and having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, now sit only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Hopefuls?

It remains a rather hard proposition to answer. History, a general sense of this institution, suggests not. Furthermore, they have not been wholly dominant this season, even as the wins have stacked up.

According to Opta, in only two games has the side registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a side which has strung together ten consecutive victories, they look weirdly vulnerable – but at the moment the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with an opponent before hoping their star man to bail them out with some crisp finishes. This was the case against Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and once more against Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a superb shot, bent just inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of his first capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opposition had a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those games.

A reversion to average may well be the biggest rival they have to face over the coming weeks. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain drilling his shots past despairing goalkeepers forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be an alternative path whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures could still return to peak condition.

• The main striker might resume finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the player he resembled during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the potential for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this was unforeseen. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, nobody thought Rogers now would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title and appearing as an essential Three Lions star.

The current run is to be savoured precisely because it seems so surreal. As the hero faced the home supporters after the match orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These spells do not happen often and should be relished.