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A mere two months prior when Morgan Rogers was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager admonished him over missing a through-ball. Back then, as the club endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause for the team's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the manager's outburst proved to be far more favourable. When the in-form star swept in his second strike to reclaim his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician tore off his winter coat, spread his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club were on their way to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win any of their first six games, are somehow only three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Challengers?

It remains an exceptionally difficult question to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, suggests not. Moreover, their performances haven't been entirely convincing during this run, while the positive results have accumulated.

According to Opta, on just two occasions has the side registered an xG notably superior than the other team. For a side who have strung together a ten-match winning streak, they seem weirdly vulnerable – but currently the margins are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The current approach appears to be to trade blows with an opponent and wait for Rogers to rescue them with some clinical strikes. This occurred at Leeds, it occurred in London, and it happened versus the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal came from a brilliant finish, arced precisely inside the upright from the corner of the box. For his second acted as a slight scruffier version of his first capitalizing 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, Manchester United managed a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all but one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction could be the most significant challenge they will encounter in the near future. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to drilling the ball into the top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Could it be an alternative path in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward may begin to scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are set to regain fitness, strengthening a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this is a surprise. Few believed Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought Rogers now would be at the forefront of a title charge while looking like a crucial player for the national team.

This remarkable period must be cherished for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner positioned himself before the Villa faithful after the match leading the celebrations, it was clear to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These spells are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.