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It was two months in the past when Morgan Rogers stood on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager berated him over not reading a penetrating pass. Back then, as the club failed to win in six, doubts remained whether his performances were a symptom or a cause of Villa's more general malaise.

“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”

This weekend, in contrast, the manager's outburst proved to be far more favourable. As the England international curled home his second to restore his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician ripped off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The Birmingham club marched on to a 10th successive win , having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, now sit only three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Hopefuls?

That’s a particularly tough query to answer. History, the traditional standing of Villa, indicates otherwise. Moreover, their performances haven't been entirely convincing this season, while the wins have stacked up.

Per Opta, on just two occasions has the team posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a club which has put together ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear strangely fragile – yet right now the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy appears to be to trade blows with the opposition and then rely on Rogers to rescue them with some clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened when facing Manchester United.

The initial strike originated from a brilliant finish, bent just inside the upright from the corner of the box. For his second was essentially a slight scruffier version of his first as he seized 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?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, Manchester United managed a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. The team has secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those games.

A statistical correction might be the greatest opponent Villa must confront as the season progresses. Their key man, surely, will not continue to thrashing the football past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists an alternative path in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players may yet return to peak condition.

• The main striker could start finding the net regularly.
• The winger might become the performer he showed in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a sometimes shaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a genuine bid, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And most definitely earlier this season, nobody thought Rogers now would be leading a title charge while looking like an essential player for the national team.

This winning streak should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. When the match-winner positioned himself before the home supporters at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.