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Just 60 days prior when Morgan Rogers stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery admonished him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. Back then, as the club endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether his displays were a sign or a cause of the side's more general malaise.

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

On Sunday, though, the touchline reaction proved to be much more joyous. When the England international curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate Villa's lead, Emery discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team marched on to ten wins in a row and after failing to win any of their first six games, are somehow a mere three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Hopefuls?

This is a rather hard query to answer. History, the traditional standing of the club, suggests not. Additionally, they have not been completely commanding in many games, while the wins have accumulated.

Per Opta, in only two games has the team had an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a side which has put together 10 in a row, Villa appear weirdly vulnerable – yet right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic looks like to trade blows with an opponent and wait for Rogers to save the day with some clinical strikes. This occurred at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and once more versus United.

His opener came from a brilliant finish, curled precisely inside the goal frame from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a slight scruffier version of his first as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opposition had more shots and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those games.

Regression to the mean could be the most significant challenge the club have to face over the coming weeks. The forward, surely, cannot keep on drilling the football into the top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures might still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins could start finding the net regularly.
• The winger might become the force he showed in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually regain fitness, strengthening a periodically leaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Aston Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And most definitely back in October, no one envisioned the young forward as the year closed would be spearheading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a vital Three Lions star.

This winning streak should be enjoyed for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the hero faced the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These runs of form are rare in football and should be relished.