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Just two months prior that Morgan Rogers found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while his coach admonished him for not reading a pass in behind. During that period, with the team went six without a win, the question was whether Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause for Villa's wider issues.

“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”

This weekend, in contrast, the manager's outburst was far more favourable. As the England international swept in his brace-sealing goal to restore Villa's lead, the boss ripped off his coat, spread his arms and roared. Villa continued to ten wins in a row and having failed to win any of their first six games, find themselves a mere three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Challengers?

This is a rather hard query to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they've rarely been entirely convincing in many games, while the victories have piled up.

According to statistical analysis, on just two occasions have Villa posted an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a side that have just won a ten-match winning streak, they seem curiously susceptible – yet currently the fine lines are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy looks like to engage in a shootout with rivals and then rely on their star man to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and once more versus the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal came from a brilliant finish, bent precisely inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of his first capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, the opponents managed a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those games.

A reversion to average could be the most significant challenge they will encounter as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to drilling the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists an alternative path in which, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players may yet find their top level.

• The centre-forward may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the performer he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are due to regain fitness, bolstering a sometimes shaky backline.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a genuine bid, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought the team would be third at Christmas. And without a doubt two months ago, no one envisioned the young forward as the year closed would be leading a hunt for the title while looking like a vital England player.

This remarkable period is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner faced the Villa faithful after the match orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are rare in football and must be appreciated.