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It was two months ago that Morgan Rogers found himself on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as Unai Emery scolded him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, as Villa went six without a win, the question was if his performances were a sign or the reason for the team's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, however, the manager's outburst was much more joyous. As the in-form star drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim his side's advantage, Emery tore off his winter coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The team were on their way to a 10th successive win and having failed to win their initial half-dozen games, are somehow only three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Hopefuls?

It remains a rather hard query to address. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been completely commanding during this run, despite the fact the positive results have stacked up.

According to statistical analysis, twice all season has the team had an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a club that have strung together ten consecutive victories, they appear strangely fragile – yet currently the margins are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy looks like to trade blows with the opposition before hoping their talisman to bail them out with some clinical strikes. This occurred away to Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened when facing the Red Devils.

The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, curled just inside the upright from the corner of the box. For his second was essentially a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he seized 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?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, Manchester United managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those fixtures.

A reversion to average could be the most significant challenge they have to face in the near future. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling the football into the top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players might still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward could start adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent might become the performer he resembled in Germany.
• The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the potential of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this is a surprise. Nobody thought Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be leading a hunt for the title and appearing as a vital Three Lions star.

This remarkable period must be cherished exactly since it appears so improbable. 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 do not happen often and should be relished.