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It was 60 days prior when the young forward stood on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager scolded him for not reading a penetrating pass. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause for Villa's more general malaise.

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

In the latest match, in contrast, the manager's outburst proved to be decidedly more positive. After Rogers swept in his second to reclaim the lead for Villa, Emery tore off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The Birmingham club marched on to ten wins in a row and despite not winning any of their first six games, find themselves only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?

That’s a rather hard question to address. Past precedent, the traditional standing of Villa, suggests not. Furthermore, they have not been entirely convincing in many games, despite the fact the victories have piled up.

According to statistical analysis, twice all season have Villa registered an xG significantly higher than the other team. For a team who have strung together a ten-match winning streak, they seem weirdly vulnerable – but at the moment the margins are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic seems to be to exchange chances with an opponent and wait for their talisman to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. This occurred against Leeds, it transpired in London, and again versus United.

The initial strike came from a superb shot, bent just inside the post from a wide position. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.

“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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opposition managed more efforts and more direct attempts. The team has won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all but one of those matches.

A reversion to average may well be the biggest rival they will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot keep on thrashing the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists an alternative path where, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs might still return to peak condition.

• The main striker might resume scoring again.
• The attacking talent could transform into the player he showed during his peak.
• The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this is a surprise. Nobody thought Aston Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And certainly back in October, nobody thought the young forward now would be leading a hunt for the title while looking like a vital England player.

This winning streak should be enjoyed precisely because it feels so unlikely. As Rogers positioned himself before the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and should be relished.