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A mere 60 days prior when Morgan Rogers stood on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager admonished him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. At that point, as the club went six without a win, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were a sign or a cause of Villa's wider issues.

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

This weekend, though, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. After the England international swept in his second strike to restore his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his coat, opened his arms and roared. The team were on their way to ten wins in a row , despite not winning their opening six matches, now sit only three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Serious Hopefuls?

It remains a rather hard proposition to address. Past precedent, the perceived status of the club, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant this season, while the wins have stacked up.

As per the data, twice all season has the team registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a side who have put together 10 in a row, they appear curiously susceptible – yet right now the margins are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic looks like to engage in a shootout with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to save the day with two precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it happened in London, and again against United.

The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, curled right inside the upright from a wide position. For his second was essentially a slight scruffier version of his first as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Perhaps Rogers’ right foot is becoming like Arjen Robben’s left: just because you know he’s going to whip the ball into the top corner doesn’t mean you can stop him.”

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opponents registered more shots and more shots on target. They have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those matches.

A reversion to average may well be the most significant challenge the club must confront over the coming weeks. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to drilling the ball into the top corner week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.

• The main striker could start adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the force he showed in Germany.
• The defensive duo are due to return from injury, strengthening a periodically leaky backline.

This could contain the potential of a title challenge, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine the young forward by the end of the year would be spearheading a title charge and appearing as a crucial Three Lions star.

This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner faced the North End when the game ended leading the celebrations, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These spells are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.