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Just 60 days ago that Morgan Rogers was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while his coach scolded him over missing a through-ball. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, the question was whether his performances were a sign or a cause for Villa's broader struggles.

“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”

This weekend, though, the manager's outburst was far more favourable. As the England international swept in his second strike to restore his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, spread his arms and bellowed. Villa marched on to ten wins in a row and having failed to win any of their first six games, find themselves only three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?

This is an exceptionally difficult question to address. History, the perceived status of Villa, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been wholly dominant during this run, even as the positive results have accumulated.

As per the data, in only two games have Villa registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a club who have just won ten consecutive victories, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – yet right now the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic looks like to engage in a shootout with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with two clinical strikes. It happened at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and once more when facing the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, arced just inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. For his second was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

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

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. Against United, the opposition registered more shots and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all but one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge the club will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, surely, will not continue to blasting the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists an alternative path where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures may yet rediscover their best form.

• The main striker might resume adding to his goal tally.
• The winger may rediscover the force he showed in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are set to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the potential of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

However, this was unforeseen. Few believed Aston Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be leading a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial player for the national team.

This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it appears so improbable. When the hero positioned himself before the Villa faithful after the match conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.