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It was two months in the past when Morgan Rogers was standing on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while 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 whether his performances 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, though, the touchline reaction proved to be far more favourable. As the in-form star swept in his brace-sealing goal to restore the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician discarded his winter coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa were on their way to a 10th successive win , having failed to win their initial half-dozen games, find themselves a mere three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Challengers?

It remains a rather hard proposition to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Additionally, they have not been completely commanding in many games, while the wins have piled up.

As per Opta, on just two occasions has the side registered an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a club which has strung together ten consecutive victories, they appear strangely fragile – yet right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy seems to be to trade blows with rivals and wait for their talisman to rescue them with some crisp finishes. It happened away to Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and it happened when facing Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal originated from a superb shot, bent right inside the post from the corner of the box. For his second proved to be a slight scruffier version of the opener as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

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

How Long Can This Continue?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, the opposition registered more shots and more shots on target. The team has won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all but one of those matches.

A reversion to average could be the most significant challenge the club will encounter in the near future. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain blasting the ball into the top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists another reality in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins might resume finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho might become the player he was in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.

Savoring the Moment

However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And certainly back in October, no one envisioned the young forward by the end of the year would be leading a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial player for the national team.

The current run is to be savoured precisely because it appears so improbable. When Rogers faced the North End when the game ended leading the celebrations, he seemed to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.