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A mere eight weeks prior when Morgan Rogers stood on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while his coach scolded him for not reading a through-ball. Back then, as the club endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether his displays were a symptom or a cause for the side's wider issues.

“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 proved to be much more joyous. As the England international curled home his second to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician tore off his jacket, spread his arms and bellowed. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row and despite not winning their opening six matches, find themselves a mere three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Title Contenders?

This is an exceptionally difficult question to resolve. The historical record, the traditional standing of this institution, suggests not. Furthermore, they've rarely been entirely convincing this season, even as the wins have stacked up.

Per statistical analysis, in only two games has the team registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a team which has just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa seem weirdly vulnerable – but right now the margins are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic seems to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent before hoping Rogers to rescue them with two clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened versus Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, arced precisely inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. For his second proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

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

How Long Can This Continue?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opposition had a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. They have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those fixtures.

A reversion to average might be the most significant challenge Villa will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, surely, will not continue to thrashing the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Could it be an alternative path where, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players might still find their top level.

• The main striker might resume scoring again.
• The winger might become the performer he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are set to return from injury, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would be third at Christmas. And most definitely back in October, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be spearheading a title charge while looking like a vital Three Lions star.

The current run is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the hero positioned himself before the Villa faithful when the game ended leading the celebrations, he appeared to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.