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A mere 60 days prior when the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery berated him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, the question was whether his displays were an indicator or the reason of Villa's more general malaise.

“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”

On Sunday, though, the sideline response was entirely much more joyous. After Rogers drilled in his brace-sealing goal to restore the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician discarded his winter coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. Villa were on their way to a 10th successive win and after failing to win their opening six matches, are somehow only three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Hopefuls?

This is a rather hard query to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, suggests not. Additionally, they have not been entirely convincing during this run, while the victories have piled up.

As per statistical analysis, twice all season has the team had an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a team who have put together ten consecutive victories, Villa seem weirdly vulnerable – but at the moment the margins are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic looks like to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for their star man to rescue them with some precise efforts. This was the case against Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and again when facing the Red Devils.

The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, curled precisely inside the post from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of goal number one 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opposition registered more shots and more efforts on goal. They have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those matches.

A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent they must confront as the season progresses. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot maintain blasting his shots into the top corner week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Could it be a different scenario where, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures might still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent could transform into the force he was during his peak.
• The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, bolstering a sometimes shaky backline.

Maybe within that lies the possibility of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. Nobody thought the team would sit third at Christmas. And certainly back in October, few could imagine Rogers by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while looking like an essential England player.

This winning streak should be enjoyed exactly since it feels so unlikely. As the hero positioned himself before the North End at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he seemed to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.