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Just eight weeks ago when Morgan Rogers was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while the Villa manager berated him for not reading a penetrating pass. During that period, as Villa went six without a win, the question was if his displays were an indicator or the source of the side's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the manager's outburst proved to be far more favourable. After Rogers swept in his second to reclaim his side's advantage, Emery ripped off his jacket, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club continued to a 10th successive win and having failed to win their opening six fixtures, find themselves just three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Title Contenders?

This is an exceptionally difficult question to resolve. History, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Moreover, they've rarely been completely commanding this season, despite the fact the positive results have accumulated.

According to the data, on just two occasions has the side had an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a team which has just won ten consecutive victories, the Villans look strangely fragile – yet currently the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The current approach appears to be to trade blows with rivals and then rely on Rogers to save the day with two precise efforts. This occurred at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and once more against Manchester United.

The initial strike stemmed from a brilliant finish, bent just inside the post from a wide position. The follow-up goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.

“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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opponents had more shots and more shots on target. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those games.

A reversion to average might be the most significant challenge Villa have to face in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling the ball into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is a different scenario where, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players may yet find their top level.

• The centre-forward could start finding the net regularly.
• The winger might become the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a genuine bid, but they surely can continue to depend solely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this is a surprise. Few believed Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward now would be spearheading a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial England player.

The current run must be cherished exactly since it appears so improbable. When the hero faced the North End at the final whistle leading the celebrations, it was clear to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.