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It was eight weeks in the past that the Villa attacker found himself on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager admonished him over missing a through-ball. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, the question was if his performances were a symptom or the reason for the side's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, though, the touchline reaction proved to be much more joyous. As the England international swept in his second strike to restore his side's advantage, Emery ripped off his coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team were on their way to a 10th successive win and having failed to win their initial half-dozen games, are somehow just three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?

That’s a rather hard query to resolve. History, the traditional standing of Villa, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they have not been wholly dominant during this run, despite the fact the wins have accumulated.

As per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the side registered an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a club that have put together a ten-match winning streak, they seem curiously susceptible – yet currently the margins are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy seems to be to trade blows with the opposition before hoping their talisman to bail them out with a couple of clinical strikes. This was the case at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and once more versus Manchester United.

His opener originated from an exquisite effort, bent right inside the upright from the edge of the area. For his second was essentially a slight scruffier version of goal number one capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opposition managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those fixtures.

A reversion to average might be the biggest rival they must confront in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot maintain blasting the ball into the top corner week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Could it be a different scenario in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures may yet return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent could transform into the force he resembled during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this is a surprise. Nobody thought Villa 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 hunt for the title and appearing as a vital Three Lions star.

This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the match-winner faced the North End when the game ended leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.