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Just two months in the past that Morgan Rogers was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while his coach berated him over missing a penetrating pass. Back then, as the club went six without a win, the question was if his performances were an indicator or a cause for the team's more general malaise.

“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”

On Sunday, in contrast, the touchline reaction proved to be much more joyous. After Rogers swept in his second to restore his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician ripped off his jacket, spread his arms and roared. The team marched on to a 10th successive win and having failed to win any of their first six matches, now sit just three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Hopefuls?

That’s a particularly tough proposition to resolve. Past precedent, the traditional standing of the club, suggests not. Furthermore, they've rarely been wholly dominant this season, even as the wins have accumulated.

According to statistical analysis, in only two games have Villa posted an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a team which has just won 10 in a row, the Villans seem strangely fragile – however at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

The current approach seems to be to exchange chances with an opponent and wait for their talisman to rescue them with two precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and it happened when facing the Red Devils.

His opener stemmed from an exquisite effort, curled right inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, Manchester United had more shots and more direct attempts. The team has secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those matches.

A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival the club have to face over the coming weeks. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on drilling the ball into the top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists another reality whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures may yet return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins could start adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent could transform into the performer he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are set to regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.

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

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this is a surprise. Few believed the team would be in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, nobody thought the midfielder by the end of the year would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as a vital player for the national team.

This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner stood in front of the home supporters when the game ended conducting the cheers, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.