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Just 60 days prior when Morgan Rogers was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused as Unai Emery berated him over not reading a through-ball. At that point, as the club endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his displays were a symptom or a cause 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, though, the sideline response proved to be decidedly more positive. As the England international swept in his second to restore the lead for Villa, the boss discarded his winter coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team continued to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their opening six fixtures, now sit only three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Hopefuls?

This is a particularly tough question to address. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Furthermore, they've rarely been entirely convincing this season, despite the fact the positive results have piled up.

As per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the side had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a team who have strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa seem strangely fragile – yet currently the margins are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic looks like to trade blows with an opponent and wait for their star man to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. It happened against Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened when facing the Red Devils.

The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, arced right inside the upright from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal was essentially a somewhat messier replica of the opener capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

Can It Last?

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

Regression to the mean might be the greatest opponent Villa will encounter in the near future. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot keep on thrashing the ball into the top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is a different scenario where, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players may yet return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins could start scoring again.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are set to return from injury, strengthening a periodically leaky defensive unit.

This could contain the potential of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

But then, 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 now would be leading a title charge while establishing himself as a crucial player for the national team.

This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When the hero positioned himself before the Villa faithful after the match leading the celebrations, it was clear to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.