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Just eight weeks in the past when Morgan Rogers found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while his coach scolded him over not reading a pass in behind. Back then, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, the question was if his displays were a sign or the source for the side's wider issues.

“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 far more favourable. When Rogers curled home his second to restore the lead for Villa, Emery discarded his jacket, opened his arms and roared. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row and despite not winning their initial half-dozen fixtures, find themselves a mere three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Challengers?

That’s an exceptionally difficult query to address. Past precedent, the perceived status of Villa, indicates otherwise. Additionally, their performances haven't been wholly dominant during this run, even as the wins have stacked up.

According to Opta, twice all season has the team registered an xG significantly higher than the other team. For a side which has put together ten consecutive victories, they appear strangely fragile – but currently the margins are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy appears to be to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and again against the Red Devils.

The initial strike stemmed from an exquisite effort, bent just inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of his first capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

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

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. Against United, Manchester United had more shots and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single 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 in the near future. Their key man, surely, cannot maintain thrashing his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists an alternative path where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The winger may rediscover the player he showed during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually regain fitness, fortifying a periodically leaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a title challenge, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this was unforeseen. Few believed the team would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial player for the national team.

This remarkable period must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. As the match-winner faced the North End at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.