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Just 60 days ago when the young forward was standing on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while Unai Emery berated him over not reading a pass in behind. At that point, as Villa failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if his displays were a sign or the reason of the team'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 sideline response was far more favourable. As Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to reclaim the lead for Villa, the boss ripped off his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. Villa marched on to a 10th successive win , after failing to win their opening six matches, find themselves just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Challengers?

It remains a rather hard query to answer. History, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been entirely convincing in many games, despite the fact the positive results have stacked up.

Per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the side had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a side who have strung together ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear strangely fragile – yet at the moment the margins are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic looks like to exchange chances with an opponent before hoping their star man to save the day with two crisp finishes. This occurred away to Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and it happened when facing the Red Devils.

His opener originated from a superb shot, bent right inside the goal frame from a wide position. For his second proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of the opener capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

“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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. Against United, the opponents registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those games.

A reversion to average could be the greatest opponent Villa must confront over the coming weeks. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain thrashing the ball into the top corner week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is an alternative path where, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures could still find their top level.

• The main striker might resume scoring again.
• The winger could transform into the force he showed during his peak.
• The defensive duo will eventually return from injury, bolstering a sometimes shaky backline.

Maybe within that lies the possibility for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

However, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would be third at Christmas. And without a doubt earlier this season, nobody thought Rogers by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit and appearing as a crucial England player.

This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it appears so improbable. When the match-winner positioned himself before the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.