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Just two months prior that Morgan Rogers found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused as the Villa manager admonished him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. Back then, as the club endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if Rogers' form were an indicator or the reason for Villa's broader struggles.

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

On Sunday, however, the manager's outburst was entirely decidedly more positive. As the England international drilled in his second strike to restore Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician ripped off his winter coat, spread his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club were on their way to a 10th successive win , having failed to win any of their first six matches, now sit only three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Challengers?

That’s a rather hard question to address. History, the traditional standing of the club, suggests not. Furthermore, they have not been wholly dominant during this run, despite the fact the positive results have piled up.

Per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the team posted an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a team which has strung together ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear strangely fragile – yet right now the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy seems to be to trade blows with an opponent and wait for their talisman to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened at Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more versus Manchester United.

His opener originated from a brilliant finish, bent just inside the goal frame from a wide position. The follow-up goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.

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

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, Manchester United managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all except one of those games.

A reversion to average may well be the biggest rival they will encounter over the coming weeks. Their key man, surely, will not continue to blasting his shots past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Could it be an alternative path where, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures might still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent might become the force he showed in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually return from injury, strengthening a periodically leaky defence.

This could contain the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

However, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And certainly two months ago, nobody thought the young forward now would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a crucial England player.

The current run must be cherished precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner positioned himself before the Villa faithful after the match orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.