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Just eight weeks in the past that the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while his coach admonished him over missing a through-ball. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if his displays were a symptom or the reason for Villa's broader struggles.

“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”

This weekend, though, the manager's outburst was far more favourable. When the England international curled home his second strike to reclaim the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician ripped off his jacket, spread his arms and roared. The Birmingham club were on their way to a 10th successive win , despite not winning their initial half-dozen games, find themselves only three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Title Contenders?

That’s a particularly tough question to address. The historical record, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing in many games, despite the fact the wins have stacked up.

As per statistical analysis, twice all season have Villa had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a team that have strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

The current approach seems to be to trade blows with an opponent before hoping Rogers to save the day with two clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it occurred in London, and again against United.

The initial strike came from a brilliant finish, curled precisely inside the upright from the edge of the area. For his second proved to be a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he pounced 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?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, Manchester United managed a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. They have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those matches.

A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival Villa have to face over the coming weeks. Their key man, in all likelihood, will not continue to drilling the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be a different scenario in which, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures may yet find their top level.

• The centre-forward could start finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent might become the performer he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are set to return from injury, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt two months ago, nobody thought the midfielder as the year closed would be at the forefront of a title charge and appearing as a crucial England player.

The current run is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. When Rogers positioned himself before the home supporters at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.