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A mere two months in the past when Morgan Rogers was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while his coach scolded him for missing a pass in behind. During that period, as Villa failed to win in six, the question was if his performances were a symptom or the source for Villa's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, though, the sideline response was much more joyous. After the in-form star curled home his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, Emery discarded his winter coat, spread his arms and bellowed. Villa continued to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their opening six matches, now sit a mere three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Title Contenders?

It remains a particularly tough question to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, suggests not. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant this season, despite the fact the positive results have accumulated.

As per statistical analysis, twice all season has the team posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a team which has strung together 10 in a row, the Villans seem strangely fragile – however at the moment the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for their talisman to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and again when facing United.

His opener stemmed from a brilliant finish, curled just inside the upright from a wide position. The follow-up goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of his first as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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. Against United, the opponents had a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. The team has secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those games.

A reversion to average may well be the most significant challenge Villa must confront over the coming weeks. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot maintain drilling the ball past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be a different scenario whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players could still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins could start adding to his goal tally.
• The winger could transform into the performer he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Maybe within that lies the possibility of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would sit third at Christmas. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought Rogers now would be spearheading a title charge while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.

The current run is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. As Rogers stood in front of the North End after the match leading the celebrations, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.