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Just two months ago that Morgan Rogers stood on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while his coach berated him for missing a through-ball. During that period, with the team went six without a win, the question was whether Rogers' form were a sign or the reason 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.”

In the latest match, in contrast, the sideline response was much more joyous. After Rogers swept in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim his side's advantage, the boss tore off his coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their opening six games, now sit only three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Title Contenders?

This is a particularly tough question to address. History, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Furthermore, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the wins have stacked up.

Per the data, twice all season have Villa had an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a team who have put together ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear strangely fragile – yet right now the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach seems to be to exchange chances with rivals before hoping their star man to save the day with some clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and it happened versus the Red Devils.

The initial strike stemmed from an exquisite effort, curled right inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of goal number one capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.

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

Can It Last?

Logic says not. In the recent win, Manchester United managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean could be the most significant challenge the club must confront in the near future. Their key man, almost certainly, will not continue to blasting the ball past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs might still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins could start finding the net regularly.
• The winger might become the force he resembled during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually return from injury, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

This could contain the seeds for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Aston Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And certainly back in October, few could imagine the young forward now would be at the forefront of a title charge while looking like a crucial player for the national team.

The current run is to be savoured for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. As the hero stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.