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Just eight weeks in the past when the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager berated him over not reading a through-ball. Back then, with the team went six without a win, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were an indicator or the source for Villa's wider issues.

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

This weekend, however, the touchline reaction was entirely far more favourable. After the in-form star curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician ripped off his coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The Birmingham club marched on to ten wins in a row and after failing to win their opening six fixtures, are somehow a mere three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Hopefuls?

That’s an exceptionally difficult query to address. History, the traditional standing of this institution, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been wholly dominant this season, despite the fact the positive results have piled up.

Per statistical analysis, twice all season have Villa posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a club who have put together 10 in a row, the Villans seem curiously susceptible – but currently the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

The current approach seems to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition before hoping their star man to bail them out with some crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it transpired in London, and once more against the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a brilliant finish, curled precisely inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opposition managed more shots and more shots on target. Villa have won each of their last eight by just one goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those matches.

Regression to the mean could be the most significant challenge the club must confront over the coming weeks. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot keep on blasting his shots into the top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists an alternative path in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players could still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward might resume adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent might become the player he resembled in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually come back from the treatment room, strengthening a periodically leaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the potential of a title challenge, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would sit third at Christmas. And certainly back in October, no one envisioned the young forward by the end of the year would be leading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.

This winning streak should be enjoyed for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As the hero positioned himself before the North End at the final whistle leading the celebrations, it was clear to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.