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Just 60 days prior that Morgan Rogers was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while his coach scolded him for not reading a through-ball. Back then, as the club failed to win in six, doubts remained if his displays were an indicator or the reason of the team's more general malaise.

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

On Sunday, though, the manager's outburst proved to be decidedly more positive. After the England international curled home his second to restore Villa's lead, Emery tore off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The Birmingham club marched on to ten wins in a row , despite not winning any of their first six fixtures, find themselves just three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Title Contenders?

That’s an exceptionally difficult query to resolve. History, the perceived status of this institution, suggests not. Additionally, they've rarely been entirely convincing in many games, while the wins have piled up.

As per the data, twice all season has the team registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a team who have put together a ten-match winning streak, they look strangely fragile – however currently the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy looks like to engage in a shootout with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to rescue them with some clinical strikes. This occurred against Leeds, it occurred in London, and again when facing the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from an exquisite effort, arced right inside the post from the corner of the box. For his second acted as a somewhat messier replica of his first as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

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

Can It Last?

Logic says not. Against United, the opposition had more shots and more shots on target. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those games.

A reversion to average could be the greatest opponent Villa will encounter over the coming weeks. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on thrashing the ball into the top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is an alternative path whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs may yet rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
• The winger may rediscover the performer he resembled in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are due to regain fitness, fortifying a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this is a surprise. Nobody thought the team would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, no one envisioned the young forward now would be leading a title charge while establishing himself as a crucial player for the national team.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed exactly since it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner faced the home supporters after the match leading the celebrations, it was clear to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These spells do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.