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Just eight weeks ago when Morgan Rogers stood on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager admonished him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. During that period, as the club failed to win in six, the question was if his displays were a sign or a cause of the side's more general malaise.

“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 entirely decidedly more positive. As the in-form star drilled in his second to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa marched on to ten wins in a row , despite not winning any of their first six games, find themselves just three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Hopefuls?

It remains an exceptionally difficult question to answer. The historical record, a general sense of the club, suggests not. Additionally, their performances haven't been entirely convincing this season, despite the fact the positive results have accumulated.

As per Opta, in only two games has the team had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a club who have just won 10 in a row, Villa look curiously susceptible – however at the moment the margins are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition before hoping Rogers to rescue them with a couple of crisp finishes. This occurred against Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened against Manchester United.

His opener came from an exquisite effort, arced precisely inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of the opener capitalizing 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. Against United, Manchester United had more shots and more shots on target. They 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 may well be the biggest rival Villa must confront as the season progresses. Rogers, surely, cannot keep on blasting the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is a different scenario where, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs may yet rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins might resume finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the force he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.

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

Savoring the Moment

But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable the team would sit in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt two months ago, nobody thought Rogers as the year closed would be spearheading a championship pursuit and appearing as a vital England player.

The current run is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As Rogers faced the North End when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.