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Just two months in the past that Morgan Rogers found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as his coach berated him over not reading a through-ball. Back then, as the club went six without a win, doubts remained whether his displays were a sign or the source of Villa's more general malaise.

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

In the latest match, though, the touchline reaction was far more favourable. After Rogers curled home his second to reclaim Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The team were on their way to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, are somehow just three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Hopefuls?

That’s a particularly tough question to answer. History, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Additionally, their performances haven't been wholly dominant this season, despite the fact the positive results have piled up.

As per Opta, in only two games has the team posted an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a club who have just won a ten-match winning streak, the Villans seem weirdly vulnerable – but currently the margins are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

The current approach looks like to exchange chances with an opponent and wait for their talisman to bail them out with some clinical strikes. This occurred against Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and once more when facing Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal originated from an exquisite effort, curled right inside the upright from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing 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?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, Manchester United registered more efforts and more shots on target. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those games.

A reversion to average might be the greatest opponent the club must confront over the coming weeks. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain blasting the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Could it be a different scenario in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins could start finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho might become the player he resembled in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are due to return from injury, fortifying a periodically leaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And certainly back in October, nobody thought the young forward now would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential England player.

The current run must be cherished for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As the hero positioned himself before the home supporters when the game ended leading the celebrations, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.