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A mere 60 days prior when the young forward stood on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery scolded him for missing a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were a symptom 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.”

On Sunday, though, the touchline reaction was decidedly more positive. As the England international drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate the lead for Villa, the boss tore off his jacket, opened his arms and roared. The Birmingham club were on their way to a 10th successive win and having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, find themselves a mere three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Challengers?

That’s a rather hard proposition to answer. History, the perceived status of the club, suggests not. Moreover, their performances haven't been entirely convincing during this run, despite the fact the wins have stacked up.

Per Opta, in only two games has the team posted an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a side that have strung together 10 in a row, Villa look curiously susceptible – yet currently the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on Rogers to rescue them with two precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it occurred in London, and again versus United.

Rogers' first goal originated from an exquisite effort, arced right inside the post from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.

“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?

Logic says not. Against United, the opponents had a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. They have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all except one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent Villa will encounter in the near future. The forward, surely, will not continue to thrashing the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is another reality whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs may yet return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins could start scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho might become the force he was during his peak.
• The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, fortifying a sometimes shaky defence.

This could contain the potential of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, this is a surprise. Few believed the team would sit third at Christmas. And certainly two months ago, nobody thought the midfielder as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a crucial Three Lions star.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. When the match-winner positioned himself before the home supporters at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.