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It was eight weeks in the past when the Villa attacker stood on the Sunderland turf, looking confused as the Villa manager scolded him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. Back then, with the team went six without a win, the question was if Rogers' form were a symptom or the source of the side's more general malaise.

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

On Sunday, though, the touchline reaction proved to be decidedly more positive. When the England international curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician discarded his coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row , despite not winning any of their first six fixtures, find themselves a mere three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Challengers?

That’s a particularly tough proposition to resolve. The historical record, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been wholly dominant this season, despite the fact the wins have piled up.

Per statistical analysis, in only two games has the team had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a team who have just won 10 in a row, they look curiously susceptible – yet right now the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The current approach seems to be to trade blows with the opposition and then rely on Rogers to rescue them with some crisp finishes. This occurred against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again against United.

His opener originated from a brilliant finish, arced precisely inside the post from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal proved to be a slight scruffier version 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.”

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, Manchester United registered a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. They have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those games.

A reversion to average could be the biggest rival Villa have to face in the near future. Their key man, surely, cannot keep on thrashing the football into the top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists another reality where, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins might resume scoring again.
• The attacking talent could transform into the force he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are set to return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this was unforeseen. Few believed the team would be in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.

The current run should be enjoyed precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the hero faced the Villa faithful after the match conducting the cheers, he appeared to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.