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Just eight weeks in the past that the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as his coach admonished him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. At that point, as Villa failed to win in six, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were an indicator or a cause of the side's broader struggles.

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

On Sunday, though, the manager's outburst proved to be much more joyous. When the England international drilled in his second to restore the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician tore off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team marched on to ten wins in a row , after failing to win any of their first six games, now sit just three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Title Contenders?

This is an exceptionally difficult proposition to answer. History, the perceived status of Villa, suggests not. Additionally, they have not been wholly dominant this season, despite the fact the positive results have piled up.

As per Opta, twice all season has the team posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a side who have just won a ten-match winning streak, they appear weirdly vulnerable – however at the moment the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach appears to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to rescue them with some clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and once more when facing the Red Devils.

The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, bent right inside the upright from a wide position. The follow-up goal was essentially a somewhat messier replica of his first capitalizing 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.”

Can It Last?

Logic says not. In the recent win, Manchester United managed more efforts and more direct attempts. Villa have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those games.

Regression to the mean could be the greatest opponent the club have to face as the season progresses. The forward, in all likelihood, will not continue to blasting the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is an alternative path in which, rather than luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players might still return to peak condition.

• The main striker might resume adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent might become the player he was in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to regain fitness, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.

This could contain the possibility for a sustained push, but they surely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

However, nobody expected this. Nobody thought the team would be in the top three for the holidays. And certainly earlier this season, few could imagine Rogers now would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a vital player for the national team.

The current run should be enjoyed precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the hero positioned himself before the Villa faithful at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.