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Just 60 days prior when Morgan Rogers stood on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager berated him for missing a pass in behind. At that point, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were a symptom or the source for the team's broader struggles.

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

In the latest match, though, the touchline reaction was decidedly more positive. When the in-form star curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore Villa's lead, the boss ripped off his coat, spread his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club marched on to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning any of their first six fixtures, find themselves just three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Challengers?

This is a rather hard query to answer. The historical record, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Additionally, they've rarely been wholly dominant during this run, even as the wins have accumulated.

As per statistical analysis, twice all season have Villa had an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a team that have just won 10 in a row, the Villans appear strangely fragile – yet right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach looks like to engage in a shootout with the opposition before hoping their star man to bail them out with two crisp finishes. It happened away to Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened versus United.

Rogers' first goal originated from a brilliant finish, bent right inside the upright from a wide position. The follow-up goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, the opponents had a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. The team has secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those fixtures.

A reversion to average might be the greatest opponent they have to face over the coming weeks. Rogers, in all likelihood, will not continue to drilling the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists another reality where, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward could start adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho might become the player he was in Germany.
• The defensive duo are due to regain fitness, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

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

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt two months ago, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be spearheading a title charge while establishing himself as a crucial player for the national team.

The current run is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. When the hero faced the North End after the match conducting the cheers, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.