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Just two months in the past that Morgan Rogers was standing on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while his coach admonished him for missing a pass in behind. Back then, as the club failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if his displays were a sign or the reason for the side's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, in contrast, the sideline response proved to be far more favourable. After the England international swept in his brace-sealing goal to restore the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician ripped off his jacket, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club continued to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, find themselves a mere three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Title Contenders?

That’s a rather hard query to answer. The historical record, the perceived status of Villa, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been entirely convincing in many games, despite the fact the victories have piled up.

Per the data, twice all season have Villa posted an xG notably superior than the other team. For a club who have put together 10 in a row, they appear strangely fragile – yet right now the margins are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy appears to be to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on their star man to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. This was the case away to Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and again versus the Red Devils.

The initial strike came from a superb shot, bent right inside the post from a wide position. The follow-up goal was essentially a somewhat messier replica of goal number one as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

“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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opposition managed a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean might be the greatest opponent Villa must confront in the near future. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain drilling the ball into the net's top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Could it be a different scenario whereby, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward might resume scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho might become the performer he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually return from injury, fortifying a periodically leaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the potential of a genuine bid, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt back in October, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be spearheading a title charge while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.

This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner faced the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. Such periods are rare in football and should be relished.