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Just eight weeks ago that Morgan Rogers found himself on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager berated him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. At that point, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were a sign or a cause of Villa's wider issues.

“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”

On Sunday, however, the touchline reaction was entirely far more favourable. After Rogers swept in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate Villa's lead, the boss ripped off his winter coat, spread his arms and roared. The team marched on to a 10th successive win , having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, find themselves just three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Serious Title Contenders?

It remains a rather hard question to address. History, the perceived status of this institution, argues against it. Furthermore, they have not been completely commanding this season, even as the wins have piled up.

Per the data, on just two occasions have Villa had an xG more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a team which has strung together a ten-match winning streak, Villa appear strangely fragile – yet right now the margins are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with the opposition and wait for Rogers to save the day with some crisp finishes. This was the case away to Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again against United.

His opener came from an exquisite effort, bent precisely inside the upright from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he pounced 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. Against United, the opponents managed a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. Villa have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those matches.

A reversion to average might be the most significant challenge Villa have to face as the season progresses. Their key man, in all likelihood, will not continue to thrashing the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists another reality in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the player he was in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the potential for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely back in October, no one envisioned Rogers as the year closed would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while looking like a vital England player.

This remarkable period must be cherished for the very reason that it appears so improbable. When the match-winner stood in front of the home supporters at the final whistle leading the celebrations, it was clear to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and should be relished.