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Just eight weeks prior that Morgan Rogers stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while Unai Emery berated him over missing a pass in behind. During that period, as the club endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his performances were a symptom or the source for Villa's wider issues.

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

In the latest match, though, the manager's outburst was much more joyous. As the in-form star swept in his second to reclaim the lead for Villa, Emery ripped off his coat, opened his arms and roared. The Birmingham club marched on to a 10th successive win , after failing to win any of their first six games, find themselves a mere three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Title Contenders?

That’s a rather hard query to answer. The historical record, a general sense of this institution, indicates otherwise. Additionally, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, even as the wins have piled up.

According to statistical analysis, twice all season has the team had an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a team who have put together ten consecutive victories, they appear curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic appears to be 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 United.

His opener stemmed from a superb shot, curled just inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. For his second was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opponents had more shots and more shots on target. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals 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, almost certainly, cannot maintain drilling the ball into the top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins could start adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho might become the performer he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are due to return from injury, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the possibility of a title challenge, but they surely can continue to depend solely on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought the team would be in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while looking like an essential Three Lions star.

The current run must be cherished exactly since it appears so improbable. As the hero stood in front of the Villa faithful at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These spells are rare in football and should be relished.