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It was two months prior when the Villa attacker found himself on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager scolded him over not reading a through-ball. At that point, as the club went six without a win, it wasn't clear if his displays were a symptom or a cause of the side's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, however, the touchline reaction was decidedly more positive. After the in-form star swept in his second to reclaim the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician tore off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club marched on to ten wins in a row and despite not winning their initial half-dozen matches, now sit a mere three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Title Contenders?

It remains an exceptionally difficult question to answer. History, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they've rarely been entirely convincing this season, even as the victories have accumulated.

Per statistical analysis, twice all season have Villa posted an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a club who have put together a ten-match winning streak, Villa appear strangely fragile – however at the moment the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic seems to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to save the day with some precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it transpired in London, and it happened when facing United.

His opener stemmed from a brilliant finish, bent just inside the upright from a wide position. The follow-up goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of goal number one as he seized 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?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opponents had more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has won each of their last eight by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those matches.

A reversion to average could be the most significant challenge they have to face in the near future. Rogers, surely, cannot keep on drilling the ball into the top corner week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Could it be another reality in which, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures might still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent might become the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky backline.

This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

However, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Villa would be third at Christmas. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned Rogers now would be at the forefront of a title charge and appearing as a vital England player.

The current run is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. When the hero positioned himself before the Villa faithful at the final whistle conducting the cheers, it was clear to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. Such periods are rare in football and should be relished.