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Just eight weeks prior when Morgan Rogers was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as his coach berated him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. Back then, as Villa failed to win in six, doubts remained if his performances were a sign or the reason for the team'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 sideline response was entirely decidedly more positive. After the England international swept in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The team marched on to a 10th successive win , after failing to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, are somehow a mere three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Hopefuls?

This is a rather hard proposition to resolve. The historical record, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, even as the wins have stacked up.

According to statistical analysis, twice all season has the team posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a side that have just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa seem strangely fragile – however currently the fine lines are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic looks like to trade blows with rivals and wait for Rogers to save the day with a couple of crisp finishes. This occurred at Leeds, it happened in London, and once more versus the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal came from a brilliant finish, bent just inside the goal frame from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a slight scruffier version of the opener as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

“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?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opposition registered more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those fixtures.

A reversion to average could be the greatest opponent the club must confront in the near future. Rogers, surely, cannot maintain blasting his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is another reality in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.

• The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The winger might become the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are set to regain fitness, strengthening a periodically leaky defensive unit.

This could contain the possibility of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine Rogers by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while looking like a vital player for the national team.

This remarkable period must be cherished exactly since it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner faced the Villa faithful when the game ended leading the celebrations, he seemed to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are rare in football and should be relished.