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It was 60 days ago that Morgan Rogers stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as Unai Emery admonished him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were an indicator or the reason of the side's broader struggles.

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

In the latest match, however, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. As the England international curled home his second strike to reinstate Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician tore off his winter coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club were on their way to a 10th successive win , despite not winning their initial half-dozen matches, now sit just three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Title Contenders?

That’s an exceptionally difficult question to answer. History, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Additionally, they have not been entirely convincing in many games, despite the fact the positive results have accumulated.

According to statistical analysis, in only two games has the side registered an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a team who have just won 10 in a row, the Villans appear curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic seems to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition before hoping Rogers to bail them out with two crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and it happened against the Red Devils.

The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, arced right inside the upright from the edge of the area. For his second proved to be a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opposition managed more efforts and more shots on target. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those fixtures.

A reversion to average could be the biggest rival Villa have to face in the near future. Their key man, surely, will not continue to thrashing the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is a different scenario where, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures could still return to peak condition.

• The main striker could start finding the net regularly.
• The winger could transform into the force he resembled in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually return from injury, strengthening a sometimes shaky backline.

This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine Rogers by the end of the year would be spearheading a hunt for the title while looking like a crucial England player.

The current run is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner positioned himself before the North End when the game ended conducting the cheers, he seemed to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.