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It was 60 days ago that Morgan Rogers was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as his coach berated him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his performances were a sign or the reason of 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, in contrast, the touchline reaction was much more joyous. When the England international drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician ripped off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The Birmingham club were on their way to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win their opening six fixtures, now sit a mere three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Challengers?

It remains a particularly tough query to answer. History, a general sense of this institution, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they have not been completely commanding this season, even as the victories have accumulated.

Per statistical analysis, twice all season have Villa had an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a team that have strung together 10 in a row, Villa seem weirdly vulnerable – but right now the fine lines are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The current approach looks like to exchange chances with an opponent and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with two clinical strikes. This occurred against Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and again against United.

The initial strike originated from an exquisite effort, curled right inside the upright from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of the opener capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, Manchester United managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction could be the biggest rival they will encounter in the near future. The forward, surely, cannot keep on thrashing the ball into the net's top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Could it be another reality in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures could still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
• The attacking talent might become the player he was during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually return from injury, fortifying a periodically leaky defence.

This could contain the possibility of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

However, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Villa would sit third at Christmas. And without a doubt earlier this season, nobody thought the midfielder by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a vital England player.

The current run is to be savoured for the very reason that it appears so improbable. When the hero positioned himself before the home supporters when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.