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A mere eight weeks ago when Morgan Rogers found himself on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as his coach scolded him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, the question was if Rogers' form were an indicator or a cause for the side's more general malaise.

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

On Sunday, though, the sideline response was entirely much more joyous. As the England international drilled in his second to reclaim his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician ripped off his winter coat, opened 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 only three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Challengers?

It remains an exceptionally difficult question to answer. History, a general sense of the club, suggests not. Additionally, their performances haven't been entirely convincing this season, even as the wins have stacked up.

According to statistical analysis, twice all season has the side registered an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a team which has strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa look strangely fragile – yet right now the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy seems to be to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to save the day with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it occurred in London, and it happened when facing the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one 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.”

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, the opponents managed a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. The team has secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those fixtures.

A statistical correction might be the most significant challenge Villa have to face as the season progresses. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot keep on thrashing his shots into the top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent might become the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are due to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the possibility for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

However, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought the team would sit third at Christmas. And without a doubt two months ago, nobody thought the young forward now would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while looking like an essential player for the national team.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the hero positioned himself before the North End at the final whistle leading the celebrations, it was clear to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.