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Just 60 days ago that the young forward was standing on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while his coach berated him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. Back then, as the club failed to win in six, doubts remained if his performances were an indicator or a cause of Villa's broader struggles.

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

In the latest match, though, the manager's outburst was entirely decidedly more positive. As Rogers swept in his brace-sealing goal to restore Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician tore off his coat, spread his arms and roared. The team were on their way to a 10th successive win and having failed to win their opening six fixtures, now sit only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Challengers?

This is a rather hard query to resolve. The historical record, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they have not been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the positive results have stacked up.

Per Opta, on just two occasions has the side registered an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a team which has put together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans appear curiously susceptible – but currently the margins are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy looks like to engage in a shootout with an opponent and then rely on their star man to save the day with two crisp finishes. This was the case against Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and it happened versus Manchester United.

His opener stemmed from a brilliant finish, bent just inside the upright from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of goal number one as he seized 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.”

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, Manchester United had more shots and more shots on target. The team has secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all but one of those games.

A statistical correction might be the most significant challenge Villa have to face in the near future. Their key man, surely, cannot keep on blasting the ball into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be another reality in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures could still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent might become the player he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are due to return from injury, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.

Maybe within that lies 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. Few believed the team would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, no one envisioned Rogers now would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while looking like a crucial player for the national team.

This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner stood in front of the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These runs of form are rare in football and should be relished.