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Just eight weeks ago that Morgan Rogers was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as his coach berated him over missing a through-ball. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, the question was if Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause of the side's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, though, the sideline response was decidedly more positive. When the England international drilled in his second to reclaim his side's advantage, the boss tore off his jacket, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa continued to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win any of their first six games, are somehow just three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?

This is a rather hard query to resolve. Past precedent, the perceived status of this institution, suggests not. Furthermore, they've rarely been completely commanding in many games, even as the positive results have stacked up.

As per the data, in only two games have Villa registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a side who have just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – yet currently the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach looks like to engage in a shootout with rivals and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. This occurred away to Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and it happened versus the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a superb shot, bent right inside the goal frame from a wide position. The follow-up goal acted as a slight scruffier version 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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opponents managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent the club must confront over the coming weeks. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain thrashing the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists an alternative path where, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures might still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent might become the force he showed in Germany.
• The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, fortifying a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, but they surely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

However, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit and appearing as an essential Three Lions star.

The current run should be enjoyed for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As Rogers stood in front of the home supporters after the match leading the celebrations, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.