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It was eight weeks in the past that the young forward stood on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while his coach scolded him for not reading a pass in behind. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, the question was if his displays were a symptom or a cause of the side's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, though, the touchline reaction proved to be decidedly more positive. When Rogers drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate his side's advantage, the boss tore off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team continued to a 10th successive win and having failed to win their initial half-dozen games, now sit only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Title Contenders?

This is an exceptionally difficult query to answer. Past precedent, the perceived status of Villa, argues against it. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant during this run, while the victories have piled up.

According to the data, twice all season have Villa registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a side that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans appear strangely fragile – however at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to save the day with two precise efforts. This occurred against Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and it happened versus the Red Devils.

His opener came from a superb shot, curled just inside the upright from a wide position. For his second was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he seized 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.”

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opponents registered a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all but one of those games.

A reversion to average might be the biggest rival Villa must confront as the season progresses. Rogers, surely, will not continue to drilling the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists a different scenario whereby, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players could still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward may begin to scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho might become the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to return from injury, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the possibility of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely two months ago, no one envisioned the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit and appearing as an essential England player.

The current run must be cherished precisely because it feels so unlikely. As Rogers positioned himself before the home supporters after the match conducting the cheers, it was clear to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.