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It was 60 days ago when Morgan Rogers found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as Unai Emery admonished him for missing a through-ball. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if his performances were a sign or a cause 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, in contrast, the touchline reaction proved to be decidedly more positive. As Rogers swept in his brace-sealing goal to restore his side's advantage, the boss discarded his jacket, opened his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club continued to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, find themselves a mere three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Title Contenders?

It remains an exceptionally difficult proposition to resolve. History, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they've rarely been wholly dominant during this run, while the victories have accumulated.

Per Opta, in only two games has the side posted an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a team that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – yet currently the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic seems to be to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on their star man to rescue them with some precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more when facing the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal originated from a superb shot, arced just inside the goal frame from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of the opener capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.

“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. In the recent win, Manchester United managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean could be the biggest rival they will encounter in the near future. The forward, surely, will not continue to blasting his shots into the top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward might resume adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho might become the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to return from injury, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Maybe within that lies the potential for a sustained push, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on one man.

Savoring the Moment

However, this was unforeseen. Few believed Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And certainly back in October, few could imagine Rogers by the end of the year would be spearheading a hunt for the title while looking like a vital Three Lions star.

The current run is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the hero faced the Villa faithful when the game ended leading the celebrations, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.