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It was 60 days in the past when Morgan Rogers stood on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager scolded him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. During that period, as the club failed to win in six, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were a sign or a cause for the team's broader struggles.

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

On Sunday, in contrast, the manager's outburst was entirely far more favourable. After Rogers swept in his second to restore Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team continued to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning their initial half-dozen fixtures, are somehow a mere three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Challengers?

That’s a particularly tough question to resolve. History, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, even as the positive results have piled up.

Per Opta, twice all season have Villa had an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a side who have put together ten consecutive victories, Villa appear strangely fragile – yet at the moment the fine lines are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic appears to be to trade blows with rivals and wait for Rogers to bail them out with two precise efforts. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened when facing the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal originated from a superb shot, bent just inside the upright from the corner of the box. For his second was essentially a slight scruffier version of goal number one capitalizing 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, Manchester United had a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. The team has secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all but one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent Villa must confront over the coming weeks. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on thrashing the football past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists an alternative path in which, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players could still find their top level.

• The centre-forward could start finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the player he was during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually regain fitness, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the potential for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the midfielder now would be spearheading a hunt for the title while looking like a vital Three Lions star.

The current run should be enjoyed precisely because it seems so surreal. When the match-winner faced the Villa faithful when the game ended leading the celebrations, he appeared to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.