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It was two months in the past that Morgan Rogers was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while Unai Emery admonished him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, as the club failed to win in six, doubts remained if Rogers' form were a sign or a cause for Villa's wider issues.

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

This weekend, though, the touchline reaction was far more favourable. As the in-form star swept in his second to reinstate his side's advantage, the boss ripped off his coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club were on their way to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their opening six matches, find themselves just three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Serious Title Contenders?

That’s a particularly tough proposition to address. History, the perceived status of this institution, suggests not. Furthermore, they've rarely been entirely convincing during this run, while the victories have piled up.

As per Opta, in only two games have Villa registered an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a club that have strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa appear strangely fragile – yet right now the margins are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach looks like to exchange chances with the opposition before hoping their star man to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and again versus United.

His opener originated from a superb shot, arced precisely inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal acted as a slight scruffier version of the opener as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

“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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opposition managed more shots and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all except one of those games.

A reversion to average could be the biggest rival they will encounter over the coming weeks. Their key man, surely, cannot keep on thrashing the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Could it be another reality in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players may yet rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins might resume finding the net regularly.
• The winger could transform into the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought the midfielder by the end of the year would be leading a title charge and appearing as a crucial England player.

The current run should be enjoyed for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner faced the North End after the match conducting the cheers, it was clear to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.