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Just two months ago when Morgan Rogers was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as Unai Emery berated him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. Back then, as the club failed to win in six, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were a symptom or the source of Villa's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, though, the touchline reaction was much more joyous. When the in-form star curled home his second to reclaim Villa's lead, Emery discarded his jacket, spread his arms and roared. The team were on their way to ten wins in a row , having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, find themselves just three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Hopefuls?

This is a particularly tough proposition to address. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, argues against it. Additionally, their performances haven't been completely commanding this season, despite the fact the victories have stacked up.

Per the data, twice all season have Villa had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a team who have put together 10 in a row, Villa seem strangely fragile – yet right now the fine lines are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic looks like to engage in a shootout with the opposition and wait for their star man to bail them out with two crisp finishes. It happened against Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and again when facing Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a superb shot, bent just inside the post from the corner of the box. For his second acted as a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he pounced 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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, Manchester United managed more shots and more direct attempts. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean might be the biggest rival Villa have to face in the near future. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot keep on drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is a different scenario where, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures may yet find their top level.

• The centre-forward might resume adding to his goal tally.
• The winger may rediscover the player he was during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky defensive unit.

This could contain the seeds of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge while establishing himself as a vital player for the national team.

This winning streak is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. When the hero positioned himself before the Villa faithful when the game ended leading the celebrations, it was clear to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These spells are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.