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A mere two months in the past that Morgan Rogers was standing on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as his coach berated him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear whether his performances were an indicator or the reason of the side's broader struggles.

“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”

On Sunday, though, the manager's outburst proved to be far more favourable. When Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his winter coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa continued to a tenth straight victory and despite not winning their initial half-dozen fixtures, now sit only three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Title Contenders?

That’s an exceptionally difficult question to resolve. The historical record, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Furthermore, they've rarely been entirely convincing in many games, even as the positive results have piled up.

Per Opta, on just two occasions has the team posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a club that have just won 10 in a row, the Villans look curiously susceptible – yet currently the margins are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

The current approach looks like to trade blows with the opposition and wait for their talisman to bail them out with two clinical strikes. This was the case at Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and it happened against the Red Devils.

The initial strike originated from a brilliant finish, curled right inside the post from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opponents had more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those games.

A reversion to average could be the greatest opponent the club must confront as the season progresses. The forward, in all likelihood, will not continue to thrashing the ball into the net's top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is an alternative path whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures might still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins could start scoring again.
• The winger could transform into the player he was during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a sometimes shaky defence.

This could contain the potential for a sustained push, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, this was unforeseen. Few believed Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, few could imagine the midfielder by the end of the year would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial Three Lions star.

This winning streak must be cherished precisely because it appears so improbable. When the match-winner positioned himself before the home supporters after the match orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and must be appreciated.