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It was eight weeks in the past when Morgan Rogers stood on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager scolded him for missing a through-ball. During that period, as the club endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his performances were a symptom or a cause of Villa'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, in contrast, the touchline reaction was far more favourable. After Rogers drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician discarded his coat, opened his arms and roared. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory and despite not winning their initial half-dozen fixtures, are somehow only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Title Contenders?

That’s an exceptionally difficult question to answer. History, the traditional standing of the club, suggests not. Additionally, their performances haven't been entirely convincing during this run, even as the positive results have stacked up.

Per Opta, on just two occasions has the side posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a team that have just won ten consecutive victories, they look strangely fragile – however at the moment the fine lines are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy looks like to exchange chances with the opposition before hoping their star man to rescue them with two precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and again when facing the Red Devils.

His opener stemmed from an exquisite effort, bent precisely inside the upright from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

“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. Against United, the opponents had more efforts and more direct attempts. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those games.

Regression to the mean could be the greatest opponent they have to face as the season progresses. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot maintain thrashing the ball into the top corner forever.

Potential for Growth

Could it be an alternative path in which, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs might still find their top level.

• The centre-forward could start finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the performer he resembled in Germany.
• The defensive duo are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility for a sustained push, but they surely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this is a surprise. Nobody thought Aston Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt two months ago, few could imagine the young forward by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge and appearing as a vital Three Lions star.

This winning streak is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. As Rogers stood in front of the North End at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These spells are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.