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Just 60 days ago that the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while his coach scolded him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. Back then, as Villa failed to win in six, the question was if Rogers' form were an indicator or the reason for Villa's more general malaise.

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

On Sunday, however, the sideline response proved to be far more favourable. After the in-form star drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate the lead for Villa, Emery ripped off his coat, spread his arms and bellowed. The team were on their way to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, now sit a mere three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?

This is a particularly tough question to resolve. History, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Moreover, their performances haven't been completely commanding during this run, even as the victories have accumulated.

As per Opta, on just two occasions have Villa registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a side which has put together ten consecutive victories, they seem weirdly vulnerable – but currently the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach looks like to trade blows with an opponent and wait for Rogers to rescue them with some clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it transpired in London, and again when facing the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal originated from a brilliant finish, bent just inside the post from a wide position. For his second acted as a somewhat messier replica of the opener capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, Manchester United registered a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all except one of those matches.

Regression to the mean might be the greatest opponent Villa will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot keep on drilling the ball into the net's top corner forever.

Potential for Growth

Could it be another reality whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still find their top level.

• The main striker may begin to finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the player he resembled in Germany.
• The defensive duo will eventually return from injury, fortifying a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, few could imagine Rogers now would be spearheading a title charge and appearing as an essential England player.

This remarkable period must be cherished exactly since it appears so improbable. When Rogers positioned himself before the North End when the game ended leading the celebrations, he seemed to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and must be appreciated.