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It was eight weeks ago when Morgan Rogers stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while Unai Emery berated him for not reading a penetrating pass. At that point, as Villa went six without a win, it wasn't clear if his displays were a sign or the source for the side's wider issues.

“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 touchline reaction was much more joyous. After the England international drilled in his second to reinstate his side's advantage, the boss tore off his jacket, opened his arms and roared. The Birmingham club were on their way to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their opening six games, are somehow just three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Title Contenders?

That’s an exceptionally difficult query to answer. History, the perceived status of this institution, suggests not. Furthermore, their performances haven't been completely commanding in many games, even as the positive results have accumulated.

According to Opta, in only two games has the team posted an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a team which has put together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans look weirdly vulnerable – but right now the margins are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with some clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and again versus Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, curled precisely inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opposition registered more efforts and more shots on target. The team has won each of their last eight by a single goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those fixtures.

A statistical correction could be the most significant challenge Villa have to face as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to blasting the football into the top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists a different scenario where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players could still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward might resume adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent might become the force he showed in Germany.
• The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And certainly back in October, nobody thought the midfielder as the year closed would be spearheading a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.

This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As Rogers stood in front of the Villa faithful at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These spells are rare in football and should be relished.