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A mere two months prior when Morgan Rogers stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager scolded him over not reading a through-ball. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether Rogers' form were an indicator or the source of the team's broader struggles.

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

In the latest match, in contrast, the touchline reaction proved to be much more joyous. When the in-form star swept in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician ripped off his winter coat, opened his arms and roared. The team marched on to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win their initial half-dozen matches, now sit only three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Title Contenders?

It remains a particularly tough proposition to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing this season, while the positive results have piled up.

According to the data, twice all season has the team had an xG notably superior than the other team. For a club that have just won a ten-match winning streak, they look strangely fragile – yet right now the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

The current approach appears to be to trade blows with the opposition and then rely on Rogers to bail them out with some clinical strikes. This occurred at Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and it happened versus the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, arced right inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of goal number one as he seized 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?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opponents managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those games.

A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge Villa have to face in the near future. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to drilling the ball into the top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is another reality whereby, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players could still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker could start finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the performer he was during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the possibility of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable the team would sit in a Champions League place in December. And certainly two months ago, nobody thought Rogers now would be at the forefront of a title charge while establishing himself as a crucial player for the national team.

The current run should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. When the hero faced the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These spells are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.