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It was eight weeks ago that Morgan Rogers was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as his coach berated him for missing a through-ball. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were a symptom or the reason for the side's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, however, the sideline response was decidedly more positive. After Rogers swept in his second to restore Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his jacket, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The team marched on to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, are somehow just three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Challengers?

It remains a rather hard question to answer. History, the perceived status of this institution, suggests not. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the wins have stacked up.

According to Opta, on just two occasions has the team posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a club which has put together 10 in a row, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – but currently the fine lines are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach seems to be to trade blows with an opponent before hoping their star man to rescue them with some clinical strikes. This occurred at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened against United.

His opener originated from an exquisite effort, curled just inside the post from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal acted as a slight scruffier version of the opener as he seized 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.”

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opposition registered more efforts 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.

A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival the club have to face as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, cannot maintain drilling his shots into the top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists another reality whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward might resume scoring again.
• The winger might become the performer he showed during his peak.
• The defensive duo are due to regain fitness, fortifying a sometimes shaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the potential of a title challenge, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

However, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable the team would be third at Christmas. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the midfielder as the year closed would be at the forefront of a title charge and appearing as an essential England player.

The current run must be cherished exactly since it appears so improbable. As Rogers faced the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and must be appreciated.