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It was eight weeks in the past when Morgan Rogers found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery admonished him over not reading a penetrating pass. At that point, as the club went six without a win, doubts remained if his performances were an indicator or the reason for the team's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, however, the touchline reaction proved to be decidedly more positive. As the in-form star curled home his second to reinstate Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his coat, spread his arms and roared. The team marched on to a 10th successive win and having failed to win their initial half-dozen games, now sit a mere three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Title Contenders?

This is a particularly tough question to address. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Additionally, their performances haven't been entirely convincing in many games, despite the fact the victories have piled up.

Per statistical analysis, in only two games has the team had an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a side which has put together a ten-match winning streak, they seem weirdly vulnerable – but at the moment the fine lines are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach seems to be to trade blows with rivals and wait for their talisman to bail them out with two crisp finishes. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and again versus Manchester United.

The initial strike originated from an exquisite effort, curled just inside the upright from the edge of the area. For his second acted as a slightly less clean iteration of the opener capitalizing 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opposition registered a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. The team has secured their last eight victories by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those matches.

Regression to the mean might be the biggest rival the club will encounter in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Could it be another reality whereby, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures could still find their top level.

• The main striker might resume adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the player he showed during his peak.
• The defensive duo are set to regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky backline.

Maybe within that lies the possibility of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, nobody thought the midfielder as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.

The current run must be cherished exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the hero faced the home supporters when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and should be relished.