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A mere two months in the past when Morgan Rogers was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while his coach scolded him over missing a pass in behind. At that point, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause 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, however, the manager's outburst was much more joyous. As the England international curled home his second to reclaim Villa's lead, Emery discarded his winter coat, opened his arms and roared. The Birmingham club marched on to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, now sit a mere three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?

It remains a particularly tough proposition to address. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, argues against it. Additionally, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the positive results have stacked up.

As per Opta, in only two games has the team registered an xG significantly higher than the other team. For a club which has strung together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans look strangely fragile – but at the moment the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy seems to be to exchange chances with an opponent before hoping their star man to rescue them with some clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it occurred in London, and it happened versus the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, curled precisely inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. For his second was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one 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?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opposition managed more shots and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those fixtures.

A reversion to average may well be the biggest rival they must confront over the coming weeks. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot keep on drilling the ball into the net's top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists another reality in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players may yet return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward could start adding to his goal tally.
• The winger may rediscover the performer he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are set to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a sometimes shaky defence.

This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this is a surprise. Few believed Aston Villa would be third at Christmas. And without a doubt back in October, few could imagine the midfielder by the end of the year would be leading a title charge while establishing himself as a crucial England player.

This remarkable period is to be savoured precisely because it appears so improbable. As the hero positioned himself before the home supporters when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These spells are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.