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It was 60 days prior when Morgan Rogers stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused as his coach scolded him for not reading a penetrating pass. At that point, as the club endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if his performances were a symptom or the source of Villa's more general malaise.

“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”

In the latest match, in contrast, the sideline response proved to be far more favourable. After the in-form star swept in his second strike to reclaim Villa's lead, Emery discarded his winter coat, spread his arms and roared. The Birmingham club were on their way to a 10th successive win and having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, are somehow a mere three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Title Contenders?

This is a rather hard question to resolve. History, a general sense of the club, suggests not. Additionally, they've rarely been wholly dominant this season, despite the fact the positive results have piled up.

As per Opta, twice all season has the side posted an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a club which has just won ten consecutive victories, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – yet right now the margins are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic appears to be to trade blows with an opponent and then rely on Rogers to rescue them with some clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and it happened against the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal originated from an exquisite effort, bent right inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of the opener as he seized 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opposition registered more shots and more shots on target. The team has won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those matches.

Regression to the mean could be the most significant challenge the club must confront in the near future. Rogers, surely, cannot keep on drilling his shots into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is an alternative path in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players might still find their top level.

• The centre-forward might resume adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent could transform into the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are due to regain fitness, fortifying a periodically leaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the potential of a title challenge, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

However, this is a surprise. Few believed Aston Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And certainly earlier this season, no one envisioned the midfielder now would be spearheading a title charge while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.

The current run must be cherished precisely because it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner stood in front of the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are rare in football and must be appreciated.