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Just eight weeks ago when Morgan Rogers was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as the Villa manager admonished him for missing a pass in behind. Back then, as the club endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were a sign or the source of the team's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, however, the manager's outburst was much more joyous. As Rogers swept in his second to restore Villa's lead, Emery discarded his coat, spread his arms and roared. The team continued to a 10th successive win and having failed to win their opening six fixtures, are somehow a mere three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?

That’s a particularly tough query to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they have not been completely commanding in many games, while the positive results have stacked up.

Per Opta, twice all season have Villa posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a club that have strung together ten consecutive victories, they seem strangely fragile – but at the moment the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The current approach looks like to engage in a shootout with rivals and then rely on their star man to save the day with some precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more when facing Manchester United.

His opener stemmed from a superb shot, curled just inside the upright from a wide position. For his second was essentially a somewhat messier replica of his first 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opposition registered more efforts and more direct attempts. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those fixtures.

A reversion to average may well be the biggest rival they must confront in the near future. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling his shots past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists another reality whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players could still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The winger may rediscover the performer he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a sometimes shaky defence.

This could contain the possibility for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, this is a surprise. Nobody thought the team would be in a Champions League place in December. And certainly back in October, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge while establishing himself as a crucial player for the national team.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the hero faced the Villa faithful at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.