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It was eight weeks prior when Morgan Rogers stood on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery scolded him for not reading a pass in behind. At that point, as the club endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if his performances were a symptom or the source of the team's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, however, the manager's outburst proved to be far more favourable. After Rogers curled home his second to restore his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician ripped off his jacket, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. Villa continued to a 10th successive win , having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, find themselves just three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?

That’s a particularly tough query to resolve. History, the perceived status of this institution, suggests not. Additionally, their performances haven't been entirely convincing in many games, while the wins have piled up.

Per Opta, on just two occasions have Villa registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a team that have strung together ten consecutive victories, they look weirdly vulnerable – however right now the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy appears to be to trade blows with an opponent before hoping their star man to save the day with two precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened against United.

The initial strike originated from an exquisite effort, curled precisely inside the post from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a slight scruffier version of the opener as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, Manchester United managed more efforts and more shots on target. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all except one of those games.

A statistical correction might be the greatest opponent the club have to face over the coming weeks. Their key man, surely, will not continue to thrashing the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.

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. Key players might still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The winger could transform into the performer he resembled during his peak.
• The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering a periodically leaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this is a surprise. Few believed the team would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial Three Lions star.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. As the hero faced the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.