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It was eight weeks prior that the young forward stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while his coach admonished him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. During that period, as the club went six without a win, the question was if his displays were a symptom or a cause for the team's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, however, the manager's outburst was entirely far more favourable. As the England international drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim the lead for Villa, Emery discarded his coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. Villa marched on to ten wins in a row , despite not winning their initial half-dozen fixtures, now sit only three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Hopefuls?

It remains a rather hard proposition to answer. The historical record, a general sense of Villa, argues against it. Additionally, they have not been entirely convincing this season, while the positive results have piled up.

As per the data, twice all season have Villa posted an xG significantly higher than the other team. For a club which has just won ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear weirdly vulnerable – but at the moment the fine lines are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach appears to be to trade blows with rivals before hoping Rogers to rescue them with a couple of precise efforts. This occurred away to Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again against United.

His opener came from a brilliant finish, arced just inside the upright from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of goal number one capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opposition had more efforts and more direct attempts. The team has won each of their last eight by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean could be the biggest rival the club will encounter over the coming weeks. Rogers, surely, cannot maintain drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is another reality where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures might still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins might resume finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the performer he was in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this is a surprise. Nobody thought Aston Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, nobody thought the midfielder as the year closed would be at the forefront of a title charge while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.

This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it appears so improbable. When the match-winner stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended leading the celebrations, it was clear to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.