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It was eight weeks in the past when Morgan Rogers was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as his coach berated him over missing a pass in behind. During that period, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained if his displays were a sign or a cause of the side's wider issues.

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

In the latest match, however, the touchline reaction was entirely far more favourable. As the in-form star swept in his second strike to reclaim his side's advantage, the boss tore off his jacket, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The team marched on to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning their initial half-dozen fixtures, are somehow a mere three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Title Contenders?

This is a rather hard proposition to resolve. History, the perceived status of Villa, argues against it. Furthermore, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, while the victories have piled up.

Per Opta, on just two occasions has the side had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a club who have put together 10 in a row, they seem curiously susceptible – however currently the fine lines are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for their talisman to rescue them with two clinical strikes. This occurred away to Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and again against the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a superb shot, curled precisely inside the post from a wide position. The follow-up goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

Can It Last?

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

Regression to the mean might be the most significant challenge the club will encounter over the coming weeks. Rogers, surely, cannot maintain drilling the ball into the net's top corner forever.

Potential for Growth

Could it be an alternative path whereby, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs may yet rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward could start scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the force he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are set to return from injury, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a title challenge, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be leading a hunt for the title while looking like a crucial England player.

The current run should be enjoyed precisely because it feels so unlikely. When the hero stood in front of the North End at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.