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It was eight weeks in the past that Morgan Rogers was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as his coach scolded him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, the question was whether his performances were a symptom or the source for Villa's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, however, the sideline response was much more joyous. After the in-form star swept in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. The team continued to a 10th successive win , having failed to win their opening six games, are somehow only three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Title Contenders?

That’s a particularly tough proposition to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing during this run, even as the wins have stacked up.

According to Opta, on just two occasions has the side registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a side which has strung together a ten-match winning streak, Villa seem weirdly vulnerable – but currently the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

The current approach appears to be to trade blows with rivals before hoping Rogers to save the day with some clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it occurred in London, and it happened when facing United.

The initial strike originated from an exquisite effort, bent right inside the upright from a wide position. For his second was essentially a somewhat messier replica of goal number one capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.

“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?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opposition managed more efforts and more shots on target. Villa have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all except one of those games.

Regression to the mean could be the greatest opponent Villa will encounter in the near future. Their key man, surely, will not continue to thrashing the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists another reality whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures may yet find their top level.

• The main striker might resume finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the force he resembled during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky backline.

Maybe within that lies the possibility for a sustained push, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would be third at Christmas. And most definitely back in October, no one envisioned the midfielder 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 stood in front of the Villa faithful after the match conducting the cheers, he seemed to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.