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It was eight weeks ago that Morgan Rogers stood on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery admonished him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. At that point, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained if his performances were an indicator or the reason for Villa's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, however, the sideline response was entirely far more favourable. As the in-form star curled home his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, Emery ripped off his winter coat, spread his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club were on their way to ten wins in a row , after failing to win any of their first six matches, are somehow a mere three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Title Contenders?

That’s a particularly tough query to answer. History, the perceived status of this institution, suggests not. Additionally, they have not been wholly dominant this season, even as the wins have stacked up.

According to statistical analysis, in only two games has the team had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a club that have strung together ten consecutive victories, they seem strangely fragile – but at the moment the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

The current approach seems to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to save the day with two clinical strikes. This was the case at Leeds, it occurred in London, and again against United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from an exquisite effort, arced right inside the upright from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal acted as a slight scruffier version of his first as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

“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. In the recent win, the opponents managed more shots and more direct attempts. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all except one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean might be the most significant challenge Villa will encounter as the season progresses. Their key man, surely, cannot keep on blasting the football into the net's top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists an alternative path in which, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players may yet rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the player he showed in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are set to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a periodically leaky backline.

Maybe within that lies the seeds for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this was unforeseen. Few believed Aston Villa would sit third at Christmas. And certainly back in October, no one envisioned the midfielder now would be spearheading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a vital England player.

This winning streak should be enjoyed precisely because it appears so improbable. When Rogers faced the Villa faithful at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and should be relished.