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Just eight weeks ago when Morgan Rogers was standing on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager scolded him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, as the club endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his performances were a sign or a cause for the team's wider issues.

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

In the latest match, however, the touchline reaction was far more favourable. After Rogers drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate the lead for Villa, Emery discarded his jacket, opened his arms and bellowed. The team were on their way to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win any of their first six games, now sit just three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Serious Hopefuls?

It remains a particularly tough query to resolve. Past precedent, the perceived status of Villa, indicates otherwise. Additionally, their performances haven't been wholly dominant during this run, while the positive results have stacked up.

Per statistical analysis, in only two games has the team had an xG more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a team who have put together a ten-match winning streak, Villa seem curiously susceptible – however currently the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy seems to be to trade blows with an opponent and wait for their talisman to save the day with two crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and it happened against United.

The initial strike came from a superb shot, curled right inside the post from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal was essentially a somewhat messier replica of his first as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, Manchester United registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those fixtures.

A reversion to average could be the biggest rival the club must confront over the coming weeks. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot keep on thrashing his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Could it be an alternative path where, rather than luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still find their top level.

• The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent might become the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility for a sustained push, but they surely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And certainly two months ago, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be leading a hunt for the title while looking like an essential Three Lions star.

This remarkable period must be cherished exactly since it appears so improbable. When the hero faced the Villa faithful after the match orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.