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Just 60 days prior when Morgan Rogers stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery admonished him for not reading a penetrating pass. At that point, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his performances were a sign or a cause for the side's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the sideline response was entirely much more joyous. After the England international swept in his second to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team were on their way to ten wins in a row and despite not winning their opening six fixtures, find themselves only three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Title Contenders?

That’s a particularly tough query to answer. History, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Additionally, their performances haven't been wholly dominant this season, even as the positive results have piled up.

As per the data, in only two games has the side registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a club that have strung together ten consecutive victories, they appear curiously susceptible – however right now the margins are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach appears to be to trade blows with the opposition and then rely on their star man to save the day with some clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again when facing Manchester United.

The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, curled precisely inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. For his second proved to be a somewhat messier replica of goal number one as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Perhaps Rogers’ right foot is becoming like Arjen Robben’s left: just because you know he’s going to whip the ball into the top corner doesn’t mean you can stop him.”

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, Manchester United managed a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. Villa have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those games.

A reversion to average could be the most significant challenge Villa have to face as the season progresses. The forward, surely, cannot maintain blasting the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Could it be another reality whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players might still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the force he resembled in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are set to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a periodically leaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a genuine bid, but they surely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be spearheading a hunt for the title while looking like an essential Three Lions star.

The current run must be cherished for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner positioned himself before the home supporters after the match conducting the cheers, he seemed to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.