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Just 60 days ago when the young forward stood on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as his coach berated him over not reading a pass in behind. Back then, as the club went six without a win, it wasn't clear whether his displays were a sign 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.”

This weekend, though, the touchline reaction was entirely far more favourable. After Rogers swept in his second to reinstate Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician discarded his winter coat, spread his arms and roared. Villa marched on to ten wins in a row and having failed to win any of their first six games, are somehow a mere three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?

It remains a rather hard proposition to address. The historical record, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant this season, even as the wins have piled up.

As per statistical analysis, twice all season have Villa registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a side that have just won a ten-match winning streak, they seem strangely fragile – but right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

The current approach seems to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition and then rely on their star man to save the day with two clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again versus Manchester United.

His opener originated from a brilliant finish, bent precisely inside the upright from the corner of the box. For his second was essentially a somewhat messier replica of goal number one as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opponents managed more shots and more direct attempts. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those matches.

A reversion to average might be the most significant challenge Villa must confront over the coming weeks. Their key man, almost certainly, will not continue to blasting the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists a different scenario where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still find their top level.

• The main striker might resume adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho might become the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are due to return from injury, fortifying a sometimes shaky defence.

This could contain the seeds for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable the team would occupy third at Christmas. And most definitely earlier this season, nobody thought the midfielder by the end of the year would be spearheading a hunt for the title while looking like an essential Three Lions star.

The current run is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As the hero positioned himself before the home supporters after the match conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and should be relished.