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Just 60 days prior when Morgan Rogers stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while his coach scolded him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, as Villa failed to win in six, the question was whether Rogers' form were an indicator or a cause of the team's more general malaise.

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

On Sunday, however, the manager's outburst was entirely decidedly more positive. When the in-form star swept in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician tore off his winter coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa were on their way to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, find themselves a mere three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Challengers?

It remains an exceptionally difficult proposition to resolve. History, the traditional standing of this institution, argues against it. Moreover, they've rarely been wholly dominant this season, even as the wins have accumulated.

According to statistical analysis, twice all season have Villa posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a team which has strung together a ten-match winning streak, they appear weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy looks like to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on their star man to save the day with two crisp finishes. It happened away to Leeds, it occurred in London, and it happened versus the Red Devils.

The initial strike stemmed from a brilliant finish, curled precisely inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration 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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opposition managed more efforts and more direct attempts. They have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those matches.

A statistical correction might be the most significant challenge they must confront over the coming weeks. Rogers, in all likelihood, will not continue to thrashing the football into the top corner forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be a different scenario whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs may yet return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent might become the force he resembled in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually regain fitness, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a genuine bid, but they surely cannot keep relying on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this was unforeseen. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, no one envisioned the young forward now would be spearheading a title charge while looking like a vital England player.

This winning streak must be cherished precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner positioned himself before the North End after the match conducting the cheers, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These runs of form do not happen often and must be appreciated.