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A mere 60 days ago when Morgan Rogers was standing on the Sunderland turf, looking confused as his coach admonished him over not reading a pass in behind. Back then, as the club went six without a win, doubts remained whether his displays were a symptom or the reason of the side's more general malaise.

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

On Sunday, though, the manager's outburst proved to be far more favourable. When the in-form star curled home his brace-sealing goal to reclaim his side's advantage, Emery ripped off his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. Villa marched on to ten wins in a row , having failed to win their opening six games, are somehow only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Hopefuls?

That’s a particularly tough proposition to address. The historical record, the traditional standing of Villa, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been completely commanding this season, while the victories have stacked up.

According to statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the side posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a team who have just won ten consecutive victories, Villa appear strangely fragile – but at the moment the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

The current approach seems to be to trade blows with the opposition and wait for their talisman to save the day with two clinical strikes. This occurred away to Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again against United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the post from a wide position. The follow-up goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of his first as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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. Against United, the opponents registered a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those games.

A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent Villa have to face over the coming weeks. Their key man, almost certainly, will not continue to blasting the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists an alternative path whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures might still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the player he resembled in Germany.
• The defensive duo are set to come back from the treatment room, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this was unforeseen. Few believed the team would be in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt two months ago, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge and appearing as an essential England player.

This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. When Rogers faced the Villa faithful at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and should be relished.