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A mere eight weeks prior that the young forward was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused as the Villa manager berated him for missing a pass in behind. At that point, as the club went six without a win, the question was whether his performances were a sign or the source 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.”

This weekend, though, the touchline reaction was entirely much more joyous. As the in-form star swept in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, spread his arms and bellowed. The team continued to ten wins in a row and despite not winning their initial half-dozen games, find themselves only three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?

This is a particularly tough query to address. History, the traditional standing of Villa, suggests not. Additionally, they've rarely been entirely convincing in many games, despite the fact the victories have piled up.

As per the data, in only two games has the side had an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a side which has just won 10 in a row, the Villans appear strangely fragile – but at the moment the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic seems to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and then rely on Rogers to bail them out with some precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again against United.

The initial strike originated from an exquisite effort, arced just inside the post from a wide position. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he seized 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.”

Can It Last?

Logic says not. Against United, Manchester United registered a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. Villa have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those games.

A reversion to average might be the most significant challenge the club have to face over the coming weeks. The forward, in all likelihood, will not continue to drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists an alternative path in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players might still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
• The winger could transform into the force he resembled during his peak.
• The defensive duo are set to come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

However, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And most definitely back in October, nobody thought the midfielder by the end of the year would be spearheading a hunt for the title while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.

The current run should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. As Rogers stood in front of the Villa faithful at the final whistle conducting the cheers, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and must be appreciated.