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Just 60 days prior that Morgan Rogers found himself on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager berated him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. During that period, as Villa failed to win in six, doubts remained whether his performances were a sign or a cause of the team's broader struggles.

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

In the latest match, though, the touchline reaction was much more joyous. After the England international curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his winter coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa continued to a 10th successive win , after failing to win any of their first six matches, are somehow just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Hopefuls?

That’s a particularly tough proposition to answer. The historical record, a general sense of this institution, suggests not. Furthermore, they've rarely been completely commanding during this run, even as the positive results have stacked up.

As per Opta, twice all season have Villa posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a club that have strung together 10 in a row, Villa look strangely fragile – but currently the margins are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and then rely on their star man to rescue them with two clinical strikes. It happened at Leeds, it happened in London, and again when facing the Red Devils.

The initial strike came from a brilliant finish, arced just inside the post from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he seized 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.”

Can It Last?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opponents managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those fixtures.

A reversion to average could be the greatest opponent Villa will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain blasting his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists an alternative path in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward might resume adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the player he resembled during his peak.
• The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, no one envisioned the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. As Rogers positioned himself before the Villa faithful at the final whistle leading the celebrations, it was clear to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.