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A mere two months prior when Morgan Rogers stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while his coach berated him over not reading a through-ball. At that point, as Villa went six without a win, it wasn't clear whether his performances were a symptom or a cause for Villa's more general malaise.

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

In the latest match, in contrast, the touchline reaction was entirely much more joyous. As the in-form star swept in his second to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his winter coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa continued to a 10th successive win and after failing to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, are somehow a mere three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?

This is a particularly tough question to answer. History, the perceived status of this institution, suggests not. Moreover, their performances haven't been entirely convincing during this run, while the positive results have stacked up.

Per Opta, twice all season have Villa had an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a club that have strung together 10 in a row, Villa appear weirdly vulnerable – yet currently the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach seems to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition and wait for Rogers to bail them out with two precise efforts. This occurred at Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and it happened when facing United.

His opener originated from an exquisite effort, bent just inside the upright from a wide position. For his second proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first as he pounced 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. In the recent win, Manchester United had more shots and more direct attempts. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those matches.

A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent the club have to face as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on blasting the ball into the top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists a different scenario whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures might still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins might resume adding to his goal tally.
• The winger might become the force he showed in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought Rogers now would be leading a hunt for the title while looking like a vital England player.

This remarkable period must be cherished precisely because it appears so improbable. When the hero stood in front of the home supporters when the game ended conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are rare in football and should be relished.