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Just eight weeks ago when the Villa attacker found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as Unai Emery admonished him for missing a through-ball. At that point, as the club failed to win in six, doubts remained if his performances were an indicator or the reason of the team's more general malaise.

“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”

On Sunday, though, the touchline reaction was decidedly more positive. After the England international drilled in his second strike to reclaim his side's advantage, the boss ripped off his coat, spread his arms and roared. Villa marched on to a 10th successive win , despite not winning any of their first six matches, now sit a mere three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Challengers?

This is an exceptionally difficult proposition to address. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Furthermore, they have not been completely commanding this season, even as the wins have stacked up.

Per the data, on just two occasions has the side posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a team who have just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa seem strangely fragile – yet currently the margins are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and wait for their star man to bail them out with a couple of clinical strikes. This was the case at Leeds, it occurred in London, and it happened versus United.

The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, bent just inside the post from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

“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?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opposition registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all but one of those fixtures.

A reversion to average might be the biggest rival they will encounter as the season progresses. Their key man, surely, will not continue to thrashing his shots into the net's top corner forever.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is another reality in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players might still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker could start adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho might become the force he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Maybe within that lies the potential for a sustained push, but they surely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable the team would sit third at Christmas. And certainly two months ago, no one envisioned Rogers as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a vital player for the national team.

This remarkable period must be cherished exactly since it appears so improbable. When the match-winner stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.