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It was two months prior that Morgan Rogers stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager scolded him for missing a pass in behind. At that point, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if his displays were a symptom or a cause of Villa's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, however, the touchline reaction was entirely much more joyous. When the in-form star drilled in his brace-sealing goal to restore Villa's lead, Emery tore off his jacket, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The Birmingham club continued to a 10th successive win and after failing to win their initial half-dozen games, are somehow a mere three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Title Contenders?

That’s a particularly tough question to answer. History, a general sense of the club, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been wholly dominant during this run, even as the positive results have accumulated.

As per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the team posted an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a team which has strung together a ten-match winning streak, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – but currently the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

The current approach seems to be to exchange chances with an opponent and then rely on their star man to bail them out with two precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it transpired in London, and again against United.

His opener came from a brilliant finish, curled right inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

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

How Long Can This Continue?

Logic says not. In the recent win, Manchester United registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those games.

A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge Villa must confront over the coming weeks. Rogers, in all likelihood, will not continue to drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, rather than luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures may yet find their top level.

• The centre-forward could start adding to his goal tally.
• The winger may rediscover the force he was in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are due to come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

However, nobody expected this. Nobody thought the team would be third at Christmas. And most definitely earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit and appearing as an essential Three Lions star.

This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. As the match-winner stood in front of the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These spells do not happen often and should be relished.