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It was 60 days in the past when Morgan Rogers was standing on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery scolded him for not reading a pass in behind. During that period, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause for the team's wider issues.

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

This weekend, though, the sideline response proved to be decidedly more positive. When Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate the lead for Villa, Emery discarded his jacket, opened his arms and roared. The team were on their way to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, find themselves only three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Serious Title Contenders?

This is an exceptionally difficult question to address. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, their performances haven't been wholly dominant this season, while the wins have piled up.

According to the data, twice all season have Villa had an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a side which has put together a ten-match winning streak, Villa look curiously susceptible – however at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic looks like to trade blows with an opponent and wait for Rogers to rescue them with a couple of precise efforts. This was the case away to Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and again versus the Red Devils.

His opener stemmed from a superb shot, arced precisely inside the post from a wide position. For his second was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

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

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opponents registered more efforts and more shots on target. They have won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those games.

Regression to the mean may well be the most significant challenge the club have to face over the coming weeks. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is an alternative path in which, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players may yet return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins could start adding to his goal tally.
• The winger may rediscover the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are set to regain fitness, strengthening a sometimes shaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this is a surprise. Few believed the team would be third at Christmas. And without a doubt earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.

This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. When the hero faced the North End when the game ended leading the celebrations, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.