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Just 60 days in the past that Morgan Rogers was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery scolded him over not reading a pass in behind. At that point, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his displays were an indicator or a cause for the side's more general malaise.

“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”

In the latest match, in contrast, the sideline response was entirely far more favourable. After Rogers drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim the lead for Villa, the boss discarded his coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The team continued to a tenth straight victory and despite not winning any of their first six fixtures, are somehow just three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?

It remains an exceptionally difficult query to resolve. The historical record, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Additionally, their performances haven't been completely commanding this season, even as the victories have accumulated.

Per Opta, twice all season has the team registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a side which has put together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans look strangely fragile – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic looks like to trade blows with rivals before hoping their star man to bail them out with two precise efforts. This was the case at Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and it happened when facing the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a brilliant finish, curled just inside the post from the corner of the box. For his second acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing 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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Logic says not. In the recent win, Manchester United registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those matches.

A reversion to average could be the biggest rival the club will encounter over the coming weeks. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to drilling the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is another reality in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.

• The centre-forward could start adding to his goal tally.
• The winger could transform into the player he was during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs are due to regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward now would be spearheading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as an essential England player.

This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. When the match-winner positioned himself before the North End at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These spells are rare in football and must be appreciated.