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Just eight weeks prior when the Villa attacker was standing on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while his coach scolded him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. Back then, as Villa failed to win in six, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were a sign or the reason of Villa's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the touchline reaction was entirely far more favourable. After the England international drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his coat, threw his arms wide and roared. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row , having failed to win their initial half-dozen games, now sit only three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Serious Challengers?

This is an exceptionally difficult question to resolve. Past precedent, the perceived status of this institution, suggests not. Furthermore, they have not been entirely convincing this season, even as the wins have accumulated.

According to Opta, in only two games has the side posted an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a club who have strung together 10 in a row, Villa seem weirdly vulnerable – yet currently the margins are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy seems to be to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to rescue them with some crisp finishes. This was the case at Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and once more versus United.

Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, bent right inside the upright from the edge of the area. For his second acted as a slight scruffier version of his first capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, Manchester United had more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those fixtures.

A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent they must confront in the near future. Their key man, in all likelihood, will not continue to drilling the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is another reality in which, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures could still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent might become the performer he was during his peak.
• The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

However, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would be third at Christmas. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought Rogers by the end of the year would be leading a title charge while establishing himself as a crucial Three Lions star.

The current run is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. When the hero stood in front of the Villa faithful after the match conducting the cheers, it was clear to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells do not happen often and should be relished.