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Just two months ago when the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as his coach admonished him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. At that point, as the club endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his displays were a sign or the source of Villa's wider issues.

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

In the latest match, however, the manager's outburst was entirely far more favourable. When the in-form star drilled in his second to reinstate his side's advantage, the boss ripped off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The Birmingham club were on their way to ten wins in a row , despite not winning their opening six matches, now sit a mere three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Challengers?

It remains an exceptionally difficult proposition to answer. Past precedent, the traditional standing of the club, argues against it. Additionally, they have not been entirely convincing in many games, while the positive results have stacked up.

Per statistical analysis, twice all season have Villa had an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a club which has put together a ten-match winning streak, Villa seem strangely fragile – but right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic looks like to trade blows with rivals and then rely on Rogers to bail them out with two clinical strikes. This occurred at Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and again against Manchester United.

His opener stemmed from an exquisite effort, arced just inside the upright from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.

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

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, Manchester United managed more shots and more efforts on goal. Villa have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those fixtures.

A reversion to average might be the biggest rival they will encounter in the near future. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot keep on blasting his shots into the net's top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is another reality whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures could still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent might become the force he resembled during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to return from injury, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defence.

This could contain the possibility of a title challenge, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

But then, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable the team would be in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, nobody thought Rogers now would be leading a hunt for the title while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.

The current run should be enjoyed precisely because it seems so surreal. When the hero positioned himself before the North End when the game ended conducting the cheers, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These spells are rare in football and should be relished.