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A mere 60 days prior that Morgan Rogers stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while the Villa manager scolded him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. Back then, as the club went six without a win, the question was if Rogers' form were a sign or a cause of Villa's more general malaise.

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

On Sunday, though, the manager's outburst proved to be far more favourable. After Rogers curled home his second strike to restore the lead for Villa, Emery tore off his jacket, spread his arms and roared. The team marched on to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning their opening six fixtures, are somehow just three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Title Contenders?

This is a particularly tough query to address. History, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the wins have accumulated.

Per Opta, twice all season has the side registered an xG notably superior than the other team. For a club that have just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa look curiously susceptible – however at the moment the margins are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy seems to be to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with a couple of clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more versus the Red Devils.

The initial strike originated from a brilliant finish, arced right inside the goal frame from a wide position. The follow-up goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he pounced 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opposition registered more shots and more direct attempts. The team has won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all except one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean could be the most significant challenge Villa will encounter in the near future. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot maintain blasting the football into the top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists another reality whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins could start finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent might become the performer he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually come back from the treatment room, fortifying a sometimes shaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the possibility for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, this is a surprise. Nobody thought the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And certainly two months ago, few could imagine the midfielder now would be leading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as an essential England player.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As the match-winner positioned himself before the North End at the final whistle leading the celebrations, it was clear to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.