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It was eight weeks ago that Morgan Rogers stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager scolded him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his performances were a symptom or the source of the team's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, in contrast, the sideline response was entirely decidedly more positive. When Rogers curled home his second to restore his side's advantage, the boss ripped off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. Villa were on their way to a 10th successive win and having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, now sit just three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Title Contenders?

That’s an exceptionally difficult proposition to answer. History, the perceived status of this institution, suggests not. Additionally, they've rarely been entirely convincing this season, despite the fact the victories have piled up.

Per the data, twice all season have Villa had an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a side which has strung together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans look weirdly vulnerable – yet right now the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic looks like to exchange chances with rivals and wait for Rogers to bail them out with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and it happened when facing United.

The initial strike came from a brilliant finish, bent just inside the upright from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

“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.”

Can It Last?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, Manchester United had more shots and more shots on target. They have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all except one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent the club must confront over the coming weeks. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot keep on thrashing his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is a different scenario whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures could still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent might become the force he showed in Germany.
• The defensive duo will eventually return from injury, bolstering a periodically leaky defensive unit.

This could contain the possibility for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely back in October, no one envisioned Rogers as the year closed would be at the forefront of a title charge while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.

This remarkable period is to be savoured precisely because it seems so surreal. As the hero faced the North End at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These spells are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.