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It was eight weeks in the past that Morgan Rogers was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager admonished him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether his displays were a symptom or the reason for the side's more general malaise.

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

On Sunday, though, the sideline response proved to be much more joyous. After the England international drilled in his second strike to restore the lead for Villa, the boss discarded his winter coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club continued to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, now sit a mere three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?

That’s a rather hard query to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Additionally, they have not been completely commanding during this run, even as the positive results have piled up.

As per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the team registered an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a side that have just won 10 in a row, the Villans appear weirdly vulnerable – however right now the margins are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic seems to be to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. This was the case against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again against the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal originated from a brilliant finish, curled precisely inside the post from a wide position. For his second proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

“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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, Manchester United had more shots 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 reversion to average could be the most significant challenge the club will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, almost certainly, will not continue to thrashing his shots into the top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is an alternative path in which, rather than luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent could transform into the force he resembled during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs are due to come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this is a surprise. Nobody thought the team would be in the top three for the holidays. And certainly back in October, no one envisioned Rogers by the end of the year would be leading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.

The current run is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the hero stood in front of the home supporters after the match conducting the cheers, he seemed to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.