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Just 60 days prior when the Villa attacker was standing on the Sunderland turf, looking confused as the Villa manager berated him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his displays were a sign or a cause for the team's broader struggles.

“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”

This weekend, however, the sideline response was far more favourable. After Rogers curled home his second strike to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician tore off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The team were on their way to a 10th successive win , after failing to win their initial half-dozen games, are somehow only three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Challengers?

That’s a rather hard query to answer. Past precedent, the perceived status of this institution, argues against it. Moreover, they've rarely been wholly dominant this season, despite the fact the wins have accumulated.

As per Opta, in only two games has the team registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a team who have put together a ten-match winning streak, Villa seem weirdly vulnerable – but at the moment the margins are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with an opponent and wait for Rogers to bail them out with some clinical strikes. This occurred at Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and once more when facing United.

Rogers' first goal originated from a brilliant finish, curled precisely inside the upright from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slight scruffier version 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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opponents registered a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those games.

A reversion to average might be the most significant challenge Villa will encounter as the season progresses. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot maintain blasting the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists another reality whereby, rather than luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures may yet return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward might resume adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky backline.

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

Savoring the Moment

But then, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would be third at Christmas. And most definitely earlier this season, no one envisioned Rogers by the end of the year would be leading a title charge while looking like a crucial player for the national team.

This remarkable period must be cherished for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When Rogers faced the home supporters when the game ended conducting the cheers, it was clear to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.