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A mere 60 days in the past that Morgan Rogers was standing on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager scolded him over not reading a through-ball. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, the question was if his displays were a sign or a cause of the side's wider issues.

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

This weekend, though, the touchline reaction proved to be far more favourable. After the in-form star drilled in his second to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, opened his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club were on their way to a 10th successive win , having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, find themselves just three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?

That’s an exceptionally difficult proposition to address. History, the perceived status of Villa, argues against it. Additionally, they've rarely been entirely convincing during this run, despite the fact the wins have stacked up.

According to statistical analysis, twice all season has the team posted an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a club that have just won 10 in a row, Villa seem curiously susceptible – but currently the margins are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent before hoping their talisman to bail them out with two crisp finishes. This occurred against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and once more against United.

The initial strike originated from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a slight scruffier version of his first as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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. Against United, Manchester United managed more efforts and more shots on target. The team has secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those fixtures.

A statistical correction could be the biggest rival the club will encounter as the season progresses. The forward, surely, will not continue to thrashing the ball past despairing goalkeepers forever.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker could start scoring again.
• The winger might become the force he was during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually come back from the treatment room, fortifying a sometimes shaky defence.

This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, but they surely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And certainly back in October, few could imagine the young forward as the year closed would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as an essential England player.

This winning streak must be cherished precisely because it feels so unlikely. When the hero stood in front of the North End after the match conducting the cheers, it was clear to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and should be relished.