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It was eight weeks in the past that Morgan Rogers was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery berated him for not reading a pass in behind. At that point, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his displays were an indicator or the source for the side's wider issues.

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

This weekend, though, the sideline response proved to be much more joyous. After the England international drilled in his second to reclaim his side's advantage, Emery tore off his winter coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club were on their way to ten wins in a row , despite not winning their initial half-dozen games, are somehow just three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Title Contenders?

It remains an exceptionally difficult proposition to address. The historical record, the traditional standing of the club, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing during this run, while the wins have accumulated.

As per Opta, twice all season has the side posted an xG notably superior than the other team. For a club that have just won ten consecutive victories, Villa seem curiously susceptible – yet right now the margins are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic appears to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and wait for their star man to save the day with two precise efforts. This was the case at Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again versus United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a superb shot, arced just inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. For his second proved to be a slight scruffier version of goal number one capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, the opposition had more efforts and more shots on target. Villa have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean could be the biggest rival the club must confront over the coming weeks. Their key man, almost certainly, will not continue to drilling the football into the top corner forever.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists an alternative path in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent might become the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually regain fitness, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

This could contain the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

But then, this was unforeseen. Few believed the team would be in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt back in October, few could imagine Rogers now would be spearheading a championship pursuit and appearing as a crucial player for the national team.

The current run must be cherished precisely because it seems so surreal. When Rogers positioned himself before the Villa faithful after the match orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.