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A mere two months in the past that the Villa attacker was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as his coach berated him over not reading a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were a sign or a cause of Villa's more general malaise.

“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”

In the latest match, in contrast, the touchline reaction proved to be decidedly more positive. When Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore his side's advantage, the boss tore off his jacket, spread his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club continued to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win their opening six fixtures, find themselves just three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Challengers?

That’s an exceptionally difficult proposition to address. The historical record, a general sense of Villa, argues against it. Furthermore, they've rarely been completely commanding this season, while the positive results have accumulated.

Per the data, twice all season have Villa had an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a side which has just won a ten-match winning streak, the Villans seem strangely fragile – but currently the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy appears to be to trade blows with an opponent and wait for their talisman to bail them out with two precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and once more against United.

His opener came from a superb shot, curled precisely inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of goal number one 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.”

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opponents registered a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those matches.

A reversion to average may well be the most significant challenge the club have to face as the season progresses. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot keep on thrashing the football past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Could it be another reality in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still find their top level.

• The main striker could start scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the force he resembled in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.

This could contain the seeds of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable the team would sit third at Christmas. And most definitely back in October, no one envisioned the young forward by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge while establishing himself as a vital player for the national team.

This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When Rogers stood in front of the Villa faithful after the match leading the celebrations, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.