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A mere eight weeks ago that Morgan Rogers found himself on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while the Villa manager berated him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. Back then, as Villa went six without a win, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were an indicator or the source for the team's wider issues.

“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”

In the latest match, though, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. When the England international swept in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim Villa's lead, Emery discarded his coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club were on their way to ten wins in a row , despite not winning any of their first six games, now sit just three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Hopefuls?

That’s a rather hard proposition to address. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing in many games, even as the victories have piled up.

According to statistical analysis, twice all season has the side registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a team which has just won a ten-match winning streak, they seem curiously susceptible – yet right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and once more versus United.

His opener originated from a brilliant finish, bent right inside the post from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal acted as a slight scruffier version of the opener 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, the opposition registered more shots and more direct attempts. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those games.

Regression to the mean could be the biggest rival Villa have to face as the season progresses. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists an alternative path whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures could still return to peak condition.

• The main striker may begin to scoring again.
• The winger could transform into the performer he showed in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually return from injury, fortifying a sometimes shaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a crucial player for the national team.

The current run should be enjoyed for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As Rogers faced the home supporters after the match orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These spells are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.