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Just eight weeks in the past when Morgan Rogers was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as the Villa manager scolded him over not reading a pass in behind. Back then, as Villa went six without a win, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were a symptom or the source for Villa's broader struggles.

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

On Sunday, though, the manager's outburst proved to be far more favourable. As the in-form star curled home his brace-sealing goal to reclaim his side's advantage, the boss ripped off his coat, opened his arms and roared. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their opening six fixtures, find themselves just three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Challengers?

It remains a particularly tough proposition to resolve. History, the perceived status of the club, argues against it. Moreover, they've rarely been wholly dominant during this run, while the victories have piled up.

According to the data, twice all season has the team posted an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a club who have just won 10 in a row, Villa seem curiously susceptible – however currently the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent before hoping their star man to bail them out with some clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and again against United.

His opener originated from an exquisite effort, curled right inside the upright from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first 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. Against United, Manchester United registered more efforts and more direct attempts. The team has secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all but one of those matches.

A reversion to average might be the greatest opponent they will encounter in the near future. Rogers, surely, cannot keep on blasting his shots into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be an alternative path in which, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures may yet return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
• The attacking talent might become the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are set to return from injury, bolstering a sometimes shaky backline.

This could contain the seeds for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And certainly back in October, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be spearheading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a vital player for the national team.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed precisely because it seems so surreal. As the hero stood in front of the Villa faithful at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.