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Just two months ago when Morgan Rogers stood on the Sunderland turf, looking confused as the Villa manager berated him for missing a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was if Rogers' form were a symptom or the reason of the team's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the manager's outburst was much more joyous. As the England international curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore his side's advantage, the boss ripped off his jacket, opened his arms and roared. The team marched on to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win their opening six games, are somehow just three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Challengers?

It remains an exceptionally difficult proposition to address. History, the traditional standing of the club, suggests not. Additionally, their performances haven't been completely commanding in many games, while the victories have stacked up.

As per statistical analysis, twice all season has the side registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a team who have just won 10 in a row, the Villans appear strangely fragile – but at the moment the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy appears to be to exchange chances with rivals before hoping their talisman to save the day with some precise efforts. This occurred away to Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and it happened versus United.

Rogers' first goal originated from an exquisite effort, bent precisely inside the post from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

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

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opposition had more shots and more shots on target. They have won each of their last eight by just one goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those matches.

Regression to the mean might be the greatest opponent they will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, in all likelihood, will not continue to blasting the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be another reality where, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins could start finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent could transform into the force he showed during his peak.
• The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, fortifying a periodically leaky defensive unit.

This could contain the potential of a title challenge, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable the team would be in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, no one envisioned Rogers now would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.

The current run must be cherished for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As Rogers stood in front of the home supporters at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he appeared to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are rare in football and must be appreciated.