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Just eight weeks ago when Morgan Rogers was standing on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while his coach berated him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if his displays were a symptom or the source for the side's more general malaise.

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

On Sunday, in contrast, the sideline response was far more favourable. After the in-form star drilled in his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician tore off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. Villa marched on to ten wins in a row and after failing to win any of their first six games, now sit only three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Hopefuls?

That’s a rather hard question to resolve. History, a general sense of Villa, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been entirely convincing during this run, even as the wins have piled up.

As per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the side posted an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a team which has just won 10 in a row, they look strangely fragile – however right now the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic seems to be to exchange chances with the opposition before hoping their talisman to bail them out with two precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and it happened when facing Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal came from an exquisite effort, curled precisely inside the post from a wide position. The follow-up goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of the opener as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

“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?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opposition registered more efforts and more shots on target. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all but one of those fixtures.

A reversion to average may well be the biggest rival Villa will encounter over the coming weeks. Their key man, surely, will not continue to drilling the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists a different scenario where, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward might resume adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the performer he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually come back from the treatment room, strengthening a sometimes shaky backline.

This could contain the potential for a sustained push, but they surely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

However, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward now would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.

This winning streak must be cherished exactly since it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner stood in front of the home supporters after the match leading the celebrations, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These runs of form are rare in football and must be appreciated.