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Just two months prior when Morgan Rogers stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as his coach admonished him for missing a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team went six without a win, the question was if Rogers' form were a sign or a cause of the side's more general malaise.

“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”

This weekend, however, the touchline reaction was entirely much more joyous. When the in-form star swept in his second strike to restore Villa's lead, Emery discarded his winter coat, spread his arms and roared. Villa marched on to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their opening six games, now sit only three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Challengers?

This is an exceptionally difficult query to resolve. History, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Additionally, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, while the wins have accumulated.

According to the data, in only two games has the side registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a side that have strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa appear weirdly vulnerable – however currently the margins are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy seems to be to trade blows with an opponent before hoping Rogers to rescue them with two crisp finishes. This was the case away to Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again versus United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a superb shot, arced right inside the goal frame from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.

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

Can It Last?

Logic says not. Against United, Manchester United had a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. Villa have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those matches.

A reversion to average may well be the most significant challenge they have to face as the season progresses. The forward, surely, cannot maintain thrashing his shots past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be another reality where, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players could still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the player he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are set to return from injury, bolstering a sometimes shaky backline.

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

Savoring the Moment

But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely two months ago, no one envisioned the midfielder now would be leading a championship pursuit and appearing as an essential England player.

This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner positioned himself before the Villa faithful at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he appeared to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These spells are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.