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Just eight weeks prior that the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while his coach admonished him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. Back then, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether his performances were an indicator or a cause of the side's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, however, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. As the in-form star curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore the lead for Villa, the boss discarded his jacket, spread his arms and roared. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row , having failed to win their opening six matches, now sit a mere three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Challengers?

That’s an exceptionally difficult question to answer. History, the traditional standing of this institution, suggests not. Furthermore, they have not been wholly dominant during this run, while the wins have stacked up.

According to the data, on just two occasions has the side registered an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a team who have just won a ten-match winning streak, the Villans appear strangely fragile – but at the moment the margins are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic seems to be to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to save the day with two crisp finishes. This occurred away to Leeds, it transpired in London, and once more versus the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal came from a brilliant finish, bent precisely inside the post from a wide position. The follow-up goal acted as a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

Can It Last?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opposition had more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all except one of those games.

Regression to the mean might be the biggest rival the club will encounter as the season progresses. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot keep on blasting the ball past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists another reality whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs might still return to peak condition.

• The main striker might resume adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the performer he showed during his peak.
• The defensive duo are due to return from injury, fortifying a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the potential of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this was unforeseen. Few believed Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine Rogers now would be spearheading a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.

The current run is to be savoured precisely because it appears so improbable. As the hero stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.