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It was two months ago that Morgan Rogers stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while the Villa manager scolded him for not reading a through-ball. During that period, as the club endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if his displays were a sign or a cause for 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. When the England international drilled in his second to restore Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician tore off his winter coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The team were on their way to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, now sit only three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Hopefuls?

That’s a rather hard question to answer. History, a general sense of Villa, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant this season, while the victories have piled up.

As per statistical analysis, in only two games has the side registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a team who have strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa seem strangely fragile – yet currently the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to rescue them with two precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again against the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a brilliant finish, arced precisely inside the upright from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal acted as a slight scruffier version of the opener as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

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

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, Manchester United managed a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those games.

Regression to the mean could be the most significant challenge they will encounter as the season progresses. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot keep on thrashing the football into the top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Could it be a different scenario whereby, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players could still return to peak condition.

• The main striker could start scoring again.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the force he was in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to return from injury, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility for a sustained push, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this is a surprise. Few believed Aston Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought the midfielder now would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while looking like an essential player for the national team.

This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When Rogers positioned himself before the home supporters when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.