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A mere 60 days in the past when the young forward stood on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while his coach berated him for missing a through-ball. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained if his displays were a sign or the source of the side'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, though, the manager's outburst proved to be decidedly more positive. After Rogers drilled in his second strike to reinstate Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, opened his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their opening six fixtures, are somehow only three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Hopefuls?

That’s a rather hard proposition to answer. Past precedent, the perceived status of this institution, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, their performances haven't been wholly dominant this season, while the wins have accumulated.

As per the data, on just two occasions has the team had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a side that have just won 10 in a row, Villa look strangely fragile – however currently the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach looks like to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on their star man to bail them out with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it transpired in London, and again versus the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from an exquisite effort, arced just inside the post from a wide position. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced 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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opposition registered more shots and more shots on target. Villa have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.

A reversion to average could be the most significant challenge Villa have to face as the season progresses. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot keep on thrashing his shots into the net's top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is another reality where, rather than luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward might resume adding to his goal tally.
• The winger may rediscover the force he was in Germany.
• The defensive duo are set to return from injury, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Perhaps there is in that the potential for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

However, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And certainly back in October, no one envisioned the midfielder as the year closed would be at the forefront of a title charge and appearing as an essential England player.

This winning streak is to be savoured precisely because it seems so surreal. As the hero stood in front of the North End after the match leading the celebrations, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.