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A mere two months prior when Morgan Rogers found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while his coach scolded him for missing a pass in behind. At that point, as the club went six without a win, the question was if Rogers' form were a sign or the reason for the team'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 was entirely much more joyous. After the England international curled home his brace-sealing goal to reclaim Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician discarded his winter coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The team continued to ten wins in a row , having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, find themselves only three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Serious Title Contenders?

This is an exceptionally difficult proposition to answer. The historical record, the traditional standing of Villa, argues against it. Additionally, they have not been entirely convincing in many games, despite the fact the wins have stacked up.

According to the data, in only two games have Villa posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a team who have just won 10 in a row, Villa seem curiously susceptible – but right now the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy appears to be to trade blows with rivals and wait for their talisman to rescue them with some precise efforts. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired in London, and again against United.

Rogers' first goal originated from an exquisite effort, bent precisely inside the upright from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he seized 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.”

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opponents registered more shots and more shots on target. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those games.

A reversion to average could be the biggest rival Villa will encounter as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists another reality in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.

• The main striker might resume finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the player he was during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually return from injury, fortifying a sometimes shaky backline.

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

Savoring the Moment

However, this was unforeseen. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And certainly two months ago, few could imagine the young forward by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge and appearing as a crucial England player.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner positioned himself before the home supporters after the match orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.