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A mere eight weeks in the past when the Villa attacker stood on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager scolded him for missing a pass in behind. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, the question was if Rogers' form were a symptom or the reason for Villa's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, though, the manager's outburst was entirely much more joyous. After Rogers curled home his second to reclaim the lead for Villa, the boss discarded his coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row , having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, now sit just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?

It remains an exceptionally difficult query to resolve. History, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing this season, despite the fact the wins have accumulated.

According to statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the side registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a side that have put together ten consecutive victories, they appear curiously susceptible – but right now the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic looks like to engage in a shootout with the opposition before hoping their star man to save the day with two clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired in London, and it happened when facing the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal originated from a brilliant finish, arced right inside the post from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of his first capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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. During the latest victory, the opponents registered more efforts and more shots on target. They have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those fixtures.

A reversion to average may well be the greatest opponent Villa will encounter in the near future. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain blasting his shots into the top corner forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists an alternative path whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker could start scoring again.
• The winger may rediscover the player he resembled in Germany.
• The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, fortifying a periodically leaky backline.

This could contain the seeds of a genuine bid, but they surely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, nobody thought the midfielder by the end of the year would be spearheading a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.

The current run should be enjoyed exactly since it appears so improbable. As the hero faced the Villa faithful at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are rare in football and must be appreciated.