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It was two months in the past that the Villa attacker found himself on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager scolded him over missing a pass in behind. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were a symptom or the reason of the side's wider issues.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. When Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician ripped off his jacket, opened his arms and roared. The Birmingham club marched on to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning their initial half-dozen games, are somehow a mere three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Title Contenders?

That’s an exceptionally difficult question to address. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they've rarely been completely commanding this season, even as the victories have stacked up.

Per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the side posted an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a team who have put together 10 in a row, Villa appear strangely fragile – but right now the fine lines are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic looks like to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it occurred in London, and again versus Manchester United.

His opener stemmed from an exquisite effort, bent precisely inside the post from the corner of the box. For his second proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

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

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, Manchester United had more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those games.

A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent Villa will encounter over the coming weeks. Rogers, surely, cannot keep on thrashing his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Could it be another reality where, rather than luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players might still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker could start finding the net regularly.
• The winger might become the force he was in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility for a sustained push, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned the midfielder now would be spearheading a hunt for the title while looking like a vital player for the national team.

This winning streak is to be savoured precisely because it seems so surreal. When the hero faced the North End at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.