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Just eight weeks prior that Morgan Rogers stood on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as 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 Rogers' form were a sign or a cause of Villa'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 touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. When Rogers curled home his second strike to reclaim Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club were on their way to a 10th successive win , after failing to win their opening six games, are somehow only three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Challengers?

That’s an exceptionally difficult question to address. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Additionally, their performances haven't been wholly dominant this season, even as the victories have piled up.

As per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the team had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a club which has put together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans look weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the margins are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy looks like to exchange chances with the opposition and wait for their star man to save the day with two precise efforts. This occurred against Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and once more versus Manchester United.

His opener stemmed from an exquisite effort, curled just inside the upright from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

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

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opponents had more shots and more efforts on goal. They have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those games.

A reversion to average could be the biggest rival the club will encounter over the coming weeks. The forward, in all likelihood, will not continue to drilling his shots past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists an alternative path where, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the force he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, strengthening a periodically leaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a title challenge, but they surely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward by the end of the year would be leading a championship pursuit while looking like a vital England player.

This remarkable period must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. As the hero faced the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, he appeared to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These spells are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.