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A mere 60 days in the past when the young forward found himself on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager berated him over not reading a pass in behind. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was if his performances were a sign or the source of Villa's broader struggles.

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

On Sunday, however, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. After the in-form star drilled in his second to reclaim Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. The team marched on to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their opening six fixtures, are somehow only three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Challengers?

This is a rather hard query to resolve. The historical record, the traditional standing of Villa, suggests not. Furthermore, their performances haven't been completely commanding in many games, even as the victories have piled up.

According to Opta, twice all season has the side registered an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a side that have just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – but right now the fine lines are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy seems to be to trade blows with the opposition before hoping their star man to rescue them with some crisp finishes. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and it happened when facing United.

The initial strike originated from a brilliant finish, arced just inside the upright from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of the opener 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?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opposition managed more shots and more direct attempts. The team has won each of their last eight by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent they will encounter as the season progresses. The forward, surely, cannot maintain thrashing the ball into the top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Could it be another reality in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the performer he showed in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually regain fitness, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.

This could contain the possibility for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this is a surprise. Few believed the team would be third at Christmas. And certainly two months ago, no one envisioned Rogers now would be leading a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial player for the national team.

This remarkable period is to be savoured precisely because it seems so surreal. As Rogers faced the home supporters when the game ended conducting the cheers, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. Such periods are rare in football and should be relished.