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It was two months ago that Morgan Rogers was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery admonished him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his displays were a sign or the source of Villa's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, however, the sideline response proved to be far more favourable. As the England international curled home his second strike to reinstate his side's advantage, Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The team continued to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win any of their first six matches, are somehow only three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Title Contenders?

This is a particularly tough proposition to answer. History, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they've rarely been entirely convincing in many games, while the positive results have accumulated.

According to Opta, twice all season has the side posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a team which has put together ten consecutive victories, Villa seem strangely fragile – yet right now the margins are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach seems to be to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on Rogers to save the day with some clinical strikes. This was the case at Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and once more when facing the Red Devils.

His opener came from a brilliant finish, bent precisely inside the post from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of his first as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. Against United, the opposition had a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. They have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those matches.

Regression to the mean may well be the most significant challenge Villa will encounter over the coming weeks. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot maintain blasting his shots past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists a different scenario whereby, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward may begin to scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho might become the player he resembled during his peak.
• The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, fortifying a sometimes shaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, this is a surprise. Nobody thought Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And certainly back in October, nobody thought the midfielder by the end of the year would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as an essential player for the national team.

The current run is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the match-winner faced the home supporters when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.