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A mere eight weeks prior when Morgan Rogers was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as Unai Emery scolded him over missing a through-ball. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained if Rogers' form were a symptom or the reason for the side's more general malaise.

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

In the latest match, however, the touchline reaction was entirely much more joyous. When the England international swept in his second to reclaim the lead for Villa, Emery discarded his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The team were on their way to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning their opening six fixtures, are somehow a mere three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Title Contenders?

That’s a rather hard question to resolve. Past precedent, the perceived status of Villa, argues against it. Additionally, their performances haven't been completely commanding this season, even as the wins have stacked up.

According to the data, twice all season has the side registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a club who have strung together ten consecutive victories, they seem curiously susceptible – yet currently the margins are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on their star man to bail them out with two precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it transpired in London, and once more versus the Red Devils.

The initial strike originated from a superb shot, curled just inside the upright from a wide position. The follow-up goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of goal number one capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

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

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, Manchester United had a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. 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 might be the greatest opponent they must confront over the coming weeks. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot keep on blasting his shots into the net's top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists an alternative path in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The winger might become the force he was during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually return from injury, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.

This could contain the potential for a sustained push, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this is a surprise. Few believed the team would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward by the end of the year would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a crucial player for the national team.

This remarkable period must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. As Rogers faced the home supporters at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These spells are rare in football and should be relished.