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It was two months prior when the young forward stood on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as his coach scolded him for not reading a penetrating pass. During that period, with the team endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if Rogers' form were a symptom 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.”

In the latest match, in contrast, the touchline reaction was entirely far more favourable. When the in-form star drilled in his second to reinstate Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician discarded his coat, opened his arms and roared. The team were on their way to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their opening six matches, now sit a mere three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Challengers?

It remains an exceptionally difficult proposition to resolve. History, the traditional standing of Villa, suggests not. Additionally, they've rarely been entirely convincing in many games, even as the positive results have stacked up.

Per the data, twice all season has the side registered an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a team who have strung together ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear curiously susceptible – however currently the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with an opponent and wait for Rogers to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and it happened against the Red Devils.

The initial strike came from a superb shot, curled just inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal acted as a slight scruffier version of the opener capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, the opponents managed more shots and more efforts on goal. They have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those fixtures.

A reversion to average may well be the biggest rival they will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, in all likelihood, will not continue to blasting the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists another reality whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the performer he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are set to return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be spearheading a title charge and appearing as an essential player for the national team.

The current run is to be savoured precisely because it seems so surreal. As the match-winner faced the North End when the game ended conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.