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A mere eight weeks in the past when the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while his coach admonished him over missing a through-ball. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his performances were a symptom or a cause of the team's broader struggles.

“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”

This weekend, though, the sideline response was entirely decidedly more positive. As the in-form star swept in his second strike to restore the lead for Villa, the boss ripped off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The team continued to ten wins in a row , having failed to win their initial half-dozen games, are somehow just three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Serious Title Contenders?

This is a particularly tough query to answer. History, the perceived status of Villa, indicates otherwise. Additionally, their performances haven't been wholly dominant during this run, despite the fact the victories have piled up.

As per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the team registered an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a club who have strung together 10 in a row, they seem weirdly vulnerable – but currently the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with an opponent and then rely on Rogers to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. It happened away to Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and once more versus United.

His opener came from a brilliant finish, curled just inside the upright from the corner of the box. For his second acted as a somewhat messier replica of goal number one capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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.”

Can It Last?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, Manchester United had more shots and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those matches.

Regression to the mean could be the greatest opponent they must confront in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, will not continue to drilling his shots into the net's top corner forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be an alternative path whereby, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players could still return to peak condition.

• The main striker might resume adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering a sometimes shaky backline.

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

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this is a surprise. Nobody thought the team would occupy third at Christmas. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be leading a hunt for the title while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.

The current run must be cherished precisely because it appears so improbable. As the hero positioned himself before the North End at the final whistle conducting the cheers, it was clear to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are rare in football and must be appreciated.