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Just eight weeks in the past when the young forward was standing on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while his coach admonished him for missing a penetrating pass. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were a sign or the source of Villa's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, however, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. As the England international swept in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim the lead for Villa, Emery ripped off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. Villa marched on to a 10th successive win and having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, now sit a mere three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Hopefuls?

That’s an exceptionally difficult proposition to answer. History, the perceived status of the club, indicates otherwise. Moreover, their performances haven't been entirely convincing this season, even as the wins have stacked up.

According to Opta, twice all season has the team posted an xG notably superior than the other team. For a side that have put together a ten-match winning streak, Villa look strangely fragile – however currently the margins are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

The current approach seems to be to trade blows with the opposition and wait for their star man to bail them out with two precise efforts. This was the case away to Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more against United.

Rogers' first goal came from a brilliant finish, arced just inside the upright from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of the opener capitalizing 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, the opposition managed more shots and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those matches.

A reversion to average could be the greatest opponent they must confront in the near future. The forward, surely, will not continue to blasting his shots past despairing goalkeepers forever.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is an alternative path whereby, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs may yet return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins might resume finding the net regularly.
• The winger might become the player he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to regain fitness, fortifying a periodically leaky backline.

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

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this is a surprise. Few believed Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be spearheading a title charge and appearing as a vital player for the national team.

This remarkable period must be cherished for the very reason that it appears so improbable. When Rogers stood in front of the North End when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and should be relished.