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A mere two months ago when the young forward was standing on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as his coach admonished him over missing a through-ball. During that period, as Villa went six without a win, doubts remained if Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause for the side's broader struggles.

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

On Sunday, though, the manager's outburst was entirely far more favourable. When the in-form star swept in his brace-sealing goal to restore his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician ripped off his jacket, spread his arms and bellowed. The team marched on to a 10th successive win , having failed to win any of their first six matches, are somehow only three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Title Contenders?

This is an exceptionally difficult query to answer. Past precedent, the perceived status of this institution, suggests not. Moreover, they have not been entirely convincing during this run, even as the wins have piled up.

Per statistical analysis, twice all season have Villa registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a club who have just won ten consecutive victories, they seem weirdly vulnerable – yet right now the fine lines are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach looks like to trade blows with rivals and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with some precise efforts. This was the case away to Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more against Manchester United.

His opener stemmed from an exquisite effort, arced precisely inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

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

Can It Last?

Logic says not. Against United, Manchester United managed a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those games.

A reversion to average may well be the most significant challenge Villa will encounter in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, will not continue to drilling the ball into the net's top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is a different scenario where, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players may yet find their top level.

• The centre-forward could start finding the net regularly.
• The winger could transform into the force he was in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are due to return from injury, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the possibility for a sustained push, but they surely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable the team would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, few could imagine the young forward by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title and appearing as an essential Three Lions star.

The current run is to be savoured precisely because it appears so improbable. As the hero stood in front of the North End when the game ended conducting the cheers, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and should be relished.