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A mere two months in the past that Morgan Rogers stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery scolded him for missing a through-ball. During that period, as the club went six without a win, the question was if his displays were a sign or the source of the team's broader struggles.

“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”

This weekend, however, the sideline response was entirely far more favourable. When the England international swept in his second strike to restore the lead for Villa, Emery discarded his coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team were on their way to ten wins in a row , despite not winning their initial half-dozen games, find themselves only three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Title Contenders?

This is a particularly tough question to address. History, the traditional standing of Villa, argues against it. Furthermore, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, while the positive results have accumulated.

Per the data, in only two games has the team had an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a team who have strung together ten consecutive victories, the Villans seem strangely fragile – but right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic seems to be to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again when facing the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal originated from an exquisite effort, curled precisely inside the post from the edge of the area. For his second acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing 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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opponents managed more efforts and more shots on target. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those games.

Regression to the mean might be the biggest rival Villa must confront over the coming weeks. Their key man, surely, cannot maintain drilling the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is an alternative path whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players could still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins could start scoring again.
• The attacking talent could transform into the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

This could contain the potential of a title challenge, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this is a surprise. Few believed the team would be in the top three for the holidays. And certainly back in October, no one envisioned the young forward now would be spearheading a hunt for the title while looking like a vital England player.

The current run is to be savoured precisely because it appears so improbable. When Rogers stood in front of the North End at the final whistle leading the celebrations, it was clear to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are rare in football and should be relished.