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A mere two months ago when the young forward stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while his coach berated him over not reading a pass in behind. Back then, as Villa failed to win in six, doubts remained if Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause for the team's broader struggles.

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

In the latest match, in contrast, the manager's outburst was entirely much more joyous. After Rogers drilled in his second to restore his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician ripped off his jacket, spread his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club were on their way to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their initial half-dozen games, now sit only three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Challengers?

This is a rather hard query to resolve. History, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they have not been entirely convincing this season, even as the victories have piled up.

According to statistical analysis, twice all season have Villa registered an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a side who have just won ten consecutive victories, they look curiously susceptible – but at the moment the margins are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy seems to be to exchange chances with an opponent before hoping their star man to rescue them with two clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and it happened against United.

The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, arced just inside the upright from the corner of the box. For his second acted as a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.

“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?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opposition managed a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. They have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those matches.

A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival Villa have to face over the coming weeks. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot keep on blasting the ball past despairing goalkeepers forever.

A Case for Belief

Could it be another reality in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still find their top level.

• The centre-forward could start scoring again.
• The winger could transform into the player he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are set to return from injury, strengthening a periodically leaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt back in October, no one envisioned Rogers as the year closed would be at the forefront of a title charge while looking like a vital Three Lions star.

This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As the hero stood in front of the North End at the final whistle conducting the cheers, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.