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Just 60 days in the past that the Villa attacker found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while his coach admonished him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. Back then, with the team went six without a win, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause of the team's more general malaise.

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

In the latest match, though, the touchline reaction was far more favourable. After the England international curled home his second strike to restore his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician ripped off his winter coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The team continued to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win any of their first six games, now sit a mere three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Title Contenders?

This is a rather hard proposition to address. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they've rarely been completely commanding during this run, despite the fact the victories have accumulated.

Per the data, in only two games has the side posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a side which has strung together a ten-match winning streak, Villa appear weirdly vulnerable – however right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for their talisman to rescue them with a couple of precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it occurred in London, and it happened versus Manchester United.

His opener stemmed from a superb shot, arced precisely inside the post from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

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

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, the opposition registered more shots and more direct attempts. Villa have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all but one of those matches.

A reversion to average could be the biggest rival the club have to face over the coming weeks. Their key man, almost certainly, will not continue to thrashing the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is an alternative path whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet rediscover their best form.

• The main striker may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The winger may rediscover the player he was during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to regain fitness, strengthening a periodically leaky defensive unit.

This could contain the possibility of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt two months ago, no one envisioned the young forward as the year closed would be leading a title charge and appearing as an essential player for the national team.

The current run should be enjoyed exactly since it appears so improbable. As Rogers stood in front of the North End when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.