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A mere two months in the past when the young forward was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager scolded him over missing a through-ball. At that point, as Villa went six without a win, doubts remained whether his displays were a symptom or a cause for the team's wider issues.

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

This weekend, though, the manager's outburst was entirely far more favourable. After Rogers swept in his second to restore his side's advantage, Emery discarded his winter coat, opened his arms and bellowed. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row and after failing to win any of their first six games, now sit a mere three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Serious Hopefuls?

That’s an exceptionally difficult query to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing during this run, while the wins have piled up.

As per Opta, in only two games has the side registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a club who have just won a ten-match winning streak, the Villans appear weirdly vulnerable – but right now the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent before hoping their talisman to rescue them with two clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again against Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal originated from an exquisite effort, arced just inside the goal frame from a wide position. The follow-up goal acted as a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opponents managed more efforts and more shots on target. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those games.

Regression to the mean could be the greatest opponent they will encounter in the near future. Rogers, in all likelihood, will not continue to thrashing the ball into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward may begin to scoring again.
• The winger could transform into the force he showed in Germany.
• The defensive duo will eventually return from injury, fortifying a periodically leaky defence.

This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this is a surprise. Few believed Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And certainly back in October, no one envisioned Rogers by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.

This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. As Rogers stood in front of the home supporters when the game ended leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. Such periods are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.