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Just eight weeks ago that Morgan Rogers stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager berated him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, the question was if Rogers' form were an indicator or the source for the side's more general malaise.

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

In the latest match, though, the sideline response was much more joyous. After the England international swept in his second to reclaim the lead for Villa, the boss ripped off his coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The Birmingham club marched on to ten wins in a row , despite not winning any of their first six matches, now sit a mere three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Title Contenders?

That’s a particularly tough question to address. History, the traditional standing of Villa, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they have not been completely commanding during this run, despite the fact the wins have stacked up.

According to the data, twice all season have Villa posted an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a team which has just won 10 in a row, they seem curiously susceptible – yet right now the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy looks like to engage in a shootout with rivals before hoping their star man to rescue them with some precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and once more against the Red Devils.

The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, bent just inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he pounced 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. In the recent win, Manchester United registered more efforts and more shots on target. They have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all except one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction might be the greatest opponent Villa must confront in the near future. Rogers, surely, will not continue to blasting the ball past despairing goalkeepers forever.

Potential for Growth

Could it be another reality in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players could still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward may begin to scoring again.
• The winger could transform into the performer he showed in Germany.
• The defensive duo are set to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this is a surprise. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely back in October, nobody thought Rogers now would be spearheading a hunt for the title while looking like a vital England player.

The current run is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. When the match-winner stood in front of the Villa faithful after the match conducting the cheers, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.