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Just eight weeks prior when the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as his coach berated him for not reading a pass in behind. Back then, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained if his displays were a sign or a cause for the side's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, though, the sideline response proved to be far more favourable. After the in-form star curled home his second strike to restore Villa's lead, the boss ripped off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The team continued to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win their initial half-dozen matches, find themselves only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Serious Title Contenders?

This is an exceptionally difficult proposition to resolve. The historical record, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Moreover, their performances haven't been entirely convincing in many games, even as the positive results have piled up.

Per the data, in only two games has the team had an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a team who have put together ten consecutive victories, Villa appear curiously susceptible – however currently the margins are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for their star man to save the day with some clinical strikes. This occurred at Leeds, it happened in London, and once more against United.

Rogers' first goal came from a brilliant finish, bent just inside the upright from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal was essentially a somewhat messier replica of his first as he seized 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, Manchester United had more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean could be the biggest rival they will encounter in the near future. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists a different scenario where, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker might resume scoring again.
• The winger could transform into the force he resembled during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely earlier this season, no one envisioned the midfielder now would be spearheading a hunt for the title while looking like an essential England player.

This winning streak must be cherished precisely because it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner positioned himself before the Villa faithful when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These runs of form are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.