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It was 60 days prior that Morgan Rogers found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager admonished him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. At that point, as the club endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his displays were a symptom or the source for Villa's wider issues.

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

In the latest match, though, the sideline response was entirely much more joyous. As Rogers drilled in his second to restore his side's advantage, Emery discarded his coat, opened his arms and roared. The Birmingham club marched on to a 10th successive win and having failed to win any of their first six matches, are somehow only three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Hopefuls?

It remains an exceptionally difficult proposition to address. History, a general sense of this institution, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been completely commanding during this run, despite the fact the victories have piled up.

Per Opta, in only two games has the side posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a side which has strung together ten consecutive victories, they look weirdly vulnerable – however at the moment the margins are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with rivals before hoping their talisman to bail them out with some precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again when facing United.

The initial strike stemmed from an exquisite effort, curled just inside the upright from the edge of the area. For his second acted as a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

“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.”

Can It Last?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opponents registered a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those games.

A reversion to average may well be the biggest rival Villa must confront over the coming weeks. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain thrashing the football into the top corner week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Could it be an alternative path in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures may yet return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The winger could transform into the performer he was in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the potential for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought the team would sit in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt back in October, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a vital player for the national team.

This remarkable period must be cherished exactly since it appears so improbable. When the hero stood in front of the North End after the match leading the celebrations, it was clear to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. Such periods are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.