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Just eight weeks in the past that Morgan Rogers found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager berated him over missing a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his displays were an indicator or the source of the side's more general malaise.

“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”

This weekend, however, the sideline response was much more joyous. After the England international curled home his second strike to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician tore off his coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club continued to a 10th successive win and having failed to win their opening six games, are somehow just three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Challengers?

It remains an exceptionally difficult proposition to resolve. Past precedent, the perceived status of the club, indicates otherwise. Moreover, their performances haven't been entirely convincing this season, even as the wins have accumulated.

According to Opta, twice all season have Villa registered an xG notably superior than the other team. For a team which has just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy appears to be to trade blows with the opposition and then rely on their star man to rescue them with a couple of precise efforts. This was the case against Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and once more against United.

His opener originated from an exquisite effort, curled just inside the goal frame from a wide position. His brace-completing goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of goal number one as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opposition had more shots and more shots on target. The team has secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent the club must confront in the near future. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling his shots into the top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists a different scenario where, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players might still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker could start adding to his goal tally.
• The winger might become the performer he resembled in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually return from injury, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine the young forward by the end of the year would be spearheading a hunt for the title while looking like an essential player for the national team.

This winning streak should be enjoyed for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the match-winner stood in front of the home supporters at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These spells are rare in football and should be relished.