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It was eight weeks ago that the Villa attacker stood on the Sunderland turf, looking confused as the Villa manager scolded him over missing a pass in behind. At that point, as Villa failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if his displays were a symptom or a cause for Villa's broader struggles.

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

In the latest match, however, the manager's outburst was far more favourable. As the England international curled home his brace-sealing goal to reclaim his side's advantage, the boss discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. The team marched on to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, are somehow only three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Title Contenders?

That’s an exceptionally difficult proposition to address. The historical record, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant in many games, while the positive results have stacked up.

Per Opta, in only two games has the team posted an xG significantly higher than the other team. For a team who have strung together a ten-match winning streak, Villa look curiously susceptible – yet currently the fine lines are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy seems to be to exchange chances with rivals and wait for their star man to bail them out with two crisp finishes. It happened away to Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more against Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal originated from an exquisite effort, bent right inside the upright from a wide position. The follow-up goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he seized 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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, Manchester United managed more shots and more shots on target. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those matches.

Regression to the mean may well be the greatest opponent Villa must confront over the coming weeks. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot keep on drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is an alternative path where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players might still return to peak condition.

• The main striker could start scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the performer he resembled in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky defensive unit.

This could contain the potential of a title challenge, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned the midfielder as the year closed would be spearheading a title charge while establishing himself as a crucial England player.

This winning streak should be enjoyed for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As the hero positioned himself before the home supporters at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.