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Just 60 days ago when Morgan Rogers found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while his coach admonished him over missing a pass in behind. At that point, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if his displays were a sign or the source for the team's more general malaise.

“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”

On Sunday, in contrast, the manager's outburst was far more favourable. As the in-form star drilled in his brace-sealing goal to restore the lead for Villa, the boss discarded his winter coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The team continued to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their opening six matches, find themselves just three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Hopefuls?

This is a rather hard question to address. Past precedent, the perceived status of the club, suggests not. Additionally, they have not been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the victories have stacked up.

As per Opta, twice all season has the team registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a club which has just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa appear weirdly vulnerable – however currently the margins are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with an opponent and then rely on Rogers to rescue them with some clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and again versus Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a brilliant finish, curled right inside the post from the edge of the area. For his second was essentially a somewhat messier replica of the opener 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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, Manchester United registered a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. They have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those matches.

A reversion to average may well be the most significant challenge the club have to face over the coming weeks. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot keep on thrashing his shots past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists another reality where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures may yet rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would be in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt two months ago, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be spearheading a championship pursuit and appearing as a vital Three Lions star.

The current run should be enjoyed precisely because it seems so surreal. As the match-winner stood in front of the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and must be appreciated.