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Just eight weeks ago that Morgan Rogers stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager berated him over missing a through-ball. At that point, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause of the team's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, though, the sideline response was far more favourable. When Rogers drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician discarded his coat, spread his arms and roared. Villa were on their way to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win their opening six matches, are somehow only three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Title Contenders?

That’s an exceptionally difficult question to answer. The historical record, the perceived status of the club, suggests not. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant this season, even as the victories have accumulated.

As per statistical analysis, twice all season has the side posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a team which has put together ten consecutive victories, Villa appear curiously susceptible – however currently the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach looks like to trade blows with the opposition and wait for their talisman to bail them out with two precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and once more versus Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal came from an exquisite effort, curled precisely inside the goal frame from a wide position. The follow-up goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he pounced 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?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opposition had more efforts and more shots on target. They have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those games.

A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge they have to face as the season progresses. Their key man, surely, will not continue to blasting the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Could it be a different scenario whereby, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players might still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward could start finding the net regularly.
• The winger may rediscover the force he resembled during his peak.
• The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, strengthening a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the potential of a genuine bid, but they surely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, this was unforeseen. Few believed Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And without a doubt two months ago, nobody thought the young forward now would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while looking like a crucial player for the national team.

This winning streak must be cherished precisely because it seems so surreal. As the hero stood in front of the home supporters at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.