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A mere 60 days prior when the Villa attacker was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while his coach berated him for not reading a pass in behind. During that period, as the club failed to win in six, the question was whether his performances were a symptom or the source for the side's more general malaise.

“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”

This weekend, in contrast, the sideline response was entirely decidedly more positive. When Rogers swept in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim his side's advantage, the boss tore off his jacket, spread his arms and bellowed. Villa marched on to a 10th successive win and despite not winning their initial half-dozen fixtures, are somehow a mere three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Challengers?

It remains a particularly tough query to resolve. History, the perceived status of Villa, suggests not. Additionally, their performances haven't been wholly dominant during this run, while the wins have accumulated.

Per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the side posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a side which has just won a ten-match winning streak, the Villans seem weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy looks like to trade blows with the opposition and wait for their star man to bail them out with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened at Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and once more against the Red Devils.

His opener originated from an exquisite effort, curled precisely inside the upright from a wide position. The follow-up goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of the opener as he pounced 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, the opposition managed more shots and more efforts on goal. They have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all but one of those games.

A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent they must confront in the near future. Rogers, in all likelihood, will not continue to thrashing the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is a different scenario where, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures could still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker might resume adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho might become the force he resembled in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the potential of a title challenge, but they surely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this is a surprise. Nobody thought Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the young forward now would be spearheading a hunt for the title while looking like an essential Three Lions star.

This remarkable period is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner positioned himself before the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These runs of form are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.