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Just eight weeks in the past when the Villa attacker found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as Unai Emery admonished him over not reading a penetrating pass. During that period, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether his displays were an indicator or the source of the team's broader struggles.

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

On Sunday, however, the touchline reaction was far more favourable. As the in-form star curled home his second strike to reinstate his side's advantage, Emery discarded his jacket, spread his arms and bellowed. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win their opening six fixtures, find themselves only three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Title Contenders?

This is a rather hard question to address. The historical record, the perceived status of Villa, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing during this run, while the wins have piled up.

Per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the team had an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a side which has put together a ten-match winning streak, Villa look curiously susceptible – but at the moment the margins are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach appears to be to trade blows with an opponent and wait for their star man to rescue them with some crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened when facing the Red Devils.

His opener stemmed from a brilliant finish, bent right inside the upright from the corner of the box. For his second acted as 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?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, Manchester United registered more efforts and more shots on target. Villa have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean might be the greatest opponent Villa must confront as the season progresses. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling the ball past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Could it be an alternative path where, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players could still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins might resume adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the force he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are due to return from injury, strengthening a periodically leaky defensive unit.

This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable the team would be third at Christmas. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the young forward now would be leading a championship pursuit and appearing as a crucial England player.

This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.