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A mere two months prior that the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as Unai Emery admonished him over not reading a penetrating pass. Back then, as Villa failed to win in six, it wasn't clear whether his displays were a symptom or the source for the team'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 touchline reaction was much more joyous. After Rogers swept in his second strike to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician ripped off his winter coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa were on their way to a 10th successive win and despite not winning their initial half-dozen games, now sit only three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Title Contenders?

This is a particularly tough query to address. The historical record, a general sense of Villa, argues against it. Moreover, they've rarely been completely commanding in many games, despite the fact the wins have stacked up.

Per statistical analysis, in only two games has the side registered an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a team that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, Villa appear strangely fragile – but at the moment the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

The current approach appears to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition before hoping their star man to bail them out with some precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more when facing Manchester United.

His opener originated from a brilliant finish, arced right inside the goal frame from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he seized 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?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, Manchester United managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent Villa must confront over the coming weeks. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot keep on thrashing the football into the top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists another reality in which, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs might still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The winger could transform into the performer he was in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to return from injury, strengthening a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this is a surprise. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt back in October, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a crucial Three Lions star.

The current run must be cherished for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the match-winner stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.