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Just 60 days ago that Morgan Rogers found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as his coach scolded him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if his displays were a symptom or a cause for Villa's more general malaise.

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

In the latest match, however, the sideline response was entirely much more joyous. As the in-form star drilled in his second to reclaim Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician ripped off his winter coat, opened his arms and roared. The Birmingham club marched on to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning any of their first six matches, now sit only three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Serious Challengers?

This is an exceptionally difficult proposition to resolve. The historical record, the traditional standing of Villa, suggests not. Furthermore, they've rarely been completely commanding during this run, even as the victories have piled up.

Per Opta, in only two games has the team had an xG significantly higher than the other team. For a club who have just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa look curiously susceptible – however right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic seems to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition before hoping their star man to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. It happened away to Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again against Manchester United.

The initial strike originated from a superb shot, arced just inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. For his second proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

“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.”

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, Manchester United registered a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. They have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all except one of those matches.

A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent they have to face in the near future. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Could it be a different scenario in which, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures may yet rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward might resume adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the force he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are set to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the seeds for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

However, this is a surprise. Nobody thought the team would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial England player.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. As the hero faced the home supporters when the game ended orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.