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Just two months prior when the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager berated him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, the question was whether his performances were a symptom or the reason of the side's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, though, the manager's outburst was entirely far more favourable. When Rogers drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician ripped off his jacket, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The team marched on to ten wins in a row , after failing to win any of their first six games, find themselves just three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Title Contenders?

This is a rather hard question to answer. The historical record, the traditional standing of Villa, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been entirely convincing during this run, even as the wins have accumulated.

Per statistical analysis, twice all season has the team had an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a side that have strung together ten consecutive victories, they appear curiously susceptible – however currently the margins are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

The current approach appears to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition before hoping their star man to rescue them with some clinical strikes. This occurred away to Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and it happened versus United.

The initial strike originated from a brilliant finish, arced just inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. For his second acted as a slight scruffier version of the opener as he pounced 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opposition had more shots and more direct attempts. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those games.

A statistical correction might be the greatest opponent Villa must confront as the season progresses. The forward, surely, cannot keep on drilling his shots past despairing goalkeepers forever.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists a different scenario where, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still find their top level.

• The centre-forward might resume scoring again.
• The attacking talent might become the performer he showed in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the potential for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

However, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable the team would be third at Christmas. And without a doubt two months ago, nobody thought Rogers as the year closed would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as an essential player for the national team.

This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As the hero faced the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and must be appreciated.