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Just 60 days in the past that Morgan Rogers found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as the Villa manager admonished him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. During that period, as the club endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if his performances were a symptom 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, in contrast, the sideline response proved to be decidedly more positive. As the in-form star drilled in his second strike to reclaim Villa's lead, Emery discarded his jacket, spread his arms and roared. The team were on their way to a 10th successive win , after failing to win any of their first six games, find themselves only three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Title Contenders?

This is a particularly tough question to resolve. History, the perceived status of Villa, argues against it. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing this season, while the positive results have stacked up.

As per Opta, in only two games have Villa posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a side who have just won a ten-match winning streak, they seem strangely fragile – however at the moment the margins are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach looks like to engage in a shootout with rivals and then rely on their star man to save the day with two clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again when facing Manchester United.

The initial strike originated from a superb shot, arced just inside the upright from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one 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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opposition had more efforts and more shots on target. They have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all except one of those matches.

A statistical correction might be the most significant challenge the club must confront over the coming weeks. The forward, surely, cannot maintain blasting the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Could it be a different scenario whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs might still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins might resume finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the performer he showed during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually come back from the treatment room, strengthening a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the possibility of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this is a surprise. Few believed Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the young forward now would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a crucial England player.

This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. As the hero positioned himself before the home supporters after the match orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.