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A mere 60 days prior that the Villa attacker was standing on the Sunderland turf, looking confused as Unai Emery scolded him for not reading a penetrating pass. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause for Villa's wider issues.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the sideline response proved to be much more joyous. As Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician discarded his winter coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team marched on to ten wins in a row and after failing to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, now sit only three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Title Contenders?

That’s an exceptionally difficult question to address. History, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant during this run, while the positive results have accumulated.

According to statistical analysis, in only two games has the side had an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a team who have just won 10 in a row, the Villans look strangely fragile – however right now the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy looks like to engage in a shootout with an opponent and then rely on their star man to save the day with some crisp finishes. This was the case against Leeds, it happened in London, and again versus Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a superb shot, curled just inside the post from the edge of the area. For his second was essentially a slight scruffier version of his first as he seized 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. In the recent win, Manchester United managed more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all but one of those matches.

A statistical correction might be the biggest rival they will encounter in the near future. Their key man, surely, will not continue to thrashing his shots into the top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Could it be a different scenario whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The winger could transform into the player he was in Germany.
• The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, bolstering 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.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable the team would sit third at Christmas. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the midfielder 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 is to be savoured for the very reason that it appears so improbable. When Rogers faced the Villa faithful at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These spells are rare in football and must be appreciated.