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Just eight weeks ago when the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while the Villa manager admonished him for not reading a penetrating pass. Back then, as the club endured a six-game winless run, the question was if his performances were an indicator or a cause for the side's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, in contrast, the manager's outburst was much more joyous. As the in-form star swept in his brace-sealing goal to restore his side's advantage, Emery tore off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. Villa marched on to ten wins in a row , having failed to win their opening six matches, are somehow just three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Challengers?

This is an exceptionally difficult question to answer. Past precedent, the perceived status of Villa, argues against it. Furthermore, they have not been wholly dominant during this run, while the wins have piled up.

According to Opta, on just two occasions has the team had an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a side that have strung together 10 in a row, they look curiously susceptible – but right now the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic looks like to engage in a shootout with rivals before hoping Rogers to bail them out with some crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again versus the Red Devils.

His opener stemmed from an exquisite effort, bent just inside the upright from the corner of the box. For his second acted as a somewhat messier replica of his first capitalizing 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.”

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, Manchester United managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those matches.

A reversion to average may well be the greatest opponent the club have to face as the season progresses. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain blasting the football into the top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is another reality in which, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players could still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins could start adding to his goal tally.
• The winger may rediscover the player he showed in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to regain fitness, fortifying a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And certainly earlier this season, no one envisioned the midfielder as the year closed would be leading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.

This remarkable period is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. When Rogers stood in front of the home supporters at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and must be appreciated.