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A mere 60 days prior that the young forward stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager scolded him over not reading a penetrating pass. Back then, as the club failed to win in six, the question was whether his performances were a symptom or a cause of the side's wider issues.

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

In the latest match, however, the manager's outburst proved to be much more joyous. When Rogers curled home his second strike to reclaim the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team were on their way to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, are somehow a mere three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?

That’s a particularly tough question to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Additionally, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the victories have piled up.

As per Opta, twice all season has the side had an xG significantly higher than the other team. For a club who have strung together a ten-match winning streak, they look strangely fragile – but at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic seems to be to exchange chances with the opposition and wait for their star man to rescue them with two crisp finishes. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and once more when facing the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal came from an exquisite effort, curled right inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. For his second was essentially a somewhat messier replica of his first as he pounced 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?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opposition had a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those matches.

Regression to the mean might be the biggest rival the club must confront over the coming weeks. Their key man, in all likelihood, will not continue to drilling the football into the top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists a different scenario whereby, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players may yet return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward might resume scoring again.
• The attacking talent might become the force he resembled in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually return from injury, strengthening a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, but they surely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a vital England player.

This remarkable period must be cherished precisely because it seems so surreal. When the match-winner faced the home supporters when the game ended leading the celebrations, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.