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A mere 60 days in the past when Morgan Rogers found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while his coach berated him for missing a pass in behind. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was if his displays were an indicator or the source of the side's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the touchline reaction was entirely far more favourable. After the England international swept in his second strike to reclaim Villa's lead, Emery discarded his winter coat, opened his arms and roared. Villa marched on to ten wins in a row and having failed to win any of their first six matches, are somehow only three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?

That’s a rather hard query to resolve. Past precedent, the perceived status of this institution, argues against it. Additionally, their performances haven't been entirely convincing in many games, while the wins have piled up.

As per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the team registered an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a team who have just won ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear curiously susceptible – but right now the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach seems to be to trade blows with the opposition before hoping Rogers to save the day with some crisp finishes. It happened against Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and it happened against the Red Devils.

The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, curled just inside the goal frame from a wide position. The follow-up goal acted as a slight scruffier version of goal number one 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, the opponents managed more shots and more direct attempts. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those matches.

A reversion to average might be the greatest opponent they must confront over the coming weeks. The forward, surely, cannot maintain blasting the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players might still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins could start scoring again.
• The winger might become the force he was during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the potential for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would sit third at Christmas. And without a doubt two months ago, few could imagine Rogers as the year closed would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.

The current run must be cherished precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner stood in front of the home supporters after the match leading the celebrations, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These spells are rare in football and should be relished.