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It was two months in the past that Morgan Rogers was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager admonished him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. At that point, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained if his displays were a symptom or the reason of the side's wider issues.

“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”

In the latest match, though, the sideline response proved to be much more joyous. When the in-form star swept in his second strike to restore Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician ripped off his jacket, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club marched on to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning their initial half-dozen matches, are somehow just three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Hopefuls?

This is an exceptionally difficult question to resolve. History, the perceived status of the club, argues against it. Furthermore, they have not been entirely convincing this season, even as the victories have stacked up.

Per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the team posted an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a team who have just won ten consecutive victories, Villa seem curiously susceptible – however currently the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic looks like to trade blows with rivals and then rely on their talisman to save the day with two precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more against Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from an exquisite effort, curled just inside the post from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

“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. During the latest victory, the opposition registered more shots and more direct attempts. The team has won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those games.

Regression to the mean may well be the biggest rival they must confront in the near future. Their key man, surely, will not continue to drilling his shots into the top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is an alternative path in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures may yet rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the force he was in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually regain fitness, strengthening a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be at the forefront of a title charge and appearing as an essential player for the national team.

The current run is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As the hero faced the North End at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These spells do not happen often and should be relished.