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Just eight weeks in the past when Morgan Rogers was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while his coach scolded him over not reading a through-ball. During that period, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his performances were a symptom or the source for the side's more general malaise.

“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”

On Sunday, however, the touchline reaction was far more favourable. As the England international swept in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate his side's advantage, the boss ripped off his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. Villa were on their way to a 10th successive win , having failed to win their initial half-dozen games, find themselves only three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?

It remains a particularly tough proposition to answer. Past precedent, the traditional standing of Villa, argues against it. Furthermore, they've rarely been wholly dominant this season, even as the victories have accumulated.

Per the data, on just two occasions has the side posted an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a club which has strung together 10 in a row, the Villans appear curiously susceptible – however at the moment the margins are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic seems to be to trade blows with the opposition before hoping Rogers to save the day with some clinical strikes. It happened at Leeds, it transpired in London, and once more when facing United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the post from the corner of the box. For his second acted as a somewhat messier replica of his first as he seized 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, Manchester United registered more efforts and more direct attempts. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent the club will encounter in the near future. Their key man, surely, cannot keep on drilling his shots into the top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists another reality whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures might still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker might resume finding the net regularly.
• The winger might become the force he was in Germany.
• The defensive duo are set to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a periodically leaky defensive unit.

This could contain the seeds for a sustained push, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be spearheading a title charge while establishing himself as an essential England player.

The current run is to be savoured precisely because it seems so surreal. When the hero stood in front of the North End when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. Such periods are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.