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Just 60 days prior when the Villa attacker was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as his coach berated him over missing a through-ball. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear whether his performances were an indicator or a cause for Villa's wider issues.

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

This weekend, though, the sideline response was far more favourable. After Rogers drilled in his second strike to restore his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row , having failed to win their opening six games, are somehow a mere three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?

It remains an exceptionally difficult query to address. The historical record, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant this season, even as the positive results have piled up.

According to statistical analysis, in only two games has the team had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a team that have just won a ten-match winning streak, the Villans look weirdly vulnerable – but right now the margins are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic looks like to exchange chances with rivals before hoping their star man to save the day with some clinical strikes. It happened at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and once more versus the Red Devils.

His opener originated from a brilliant finish, bent right inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

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

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opponents registered a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. Villa have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all but one of those games.

Regression to the mean might be the most significant challenge the club have to face as the season progresses. Their key man, surely, cannot maintain blasting the ball past despairing goalkeepers forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be another reality where, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho might become the force he showed in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky defensive unit.

This could contain the seeds of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a vital Three Lions star.

The current run is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the hero positioned himself before the home supporters when the game ended orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.