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Just eight weeks ago that the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while the Villa manager berated him for not reading a pass in behind. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if his performances were a sign or a cause of the team's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, though, the manager's outburst was far more favourable. As the England international curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore his side's advantage, Emery discarded his jacket, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The team continued to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, are somehow only three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?

That’s a particularly tough proposition to answer. History, the perceived status of this institution, argues against it. Furthermore, they've rarely been entirely convincing during this run, while the positive results have accumulated.

Per Opta, in only two games has the side registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a team which has strung together 10 in a row, Villa look curiously susceptible – however currently the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic seems to be to trade blows with the opposition and wait for their star man to rescue them with a couple of precise efforts. This was the case at Leeds, it transpired in London, and again against the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal originated from a brilliant finish, bent right inside the post from a wide position. The follow-up goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, Manchester United registered more shots and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those matches.

A reversion to average might be the greatest opponent Villa have to face as the season progresses. Rogers, surely, cannot maintain blasting the ball into the net's top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Could it be a different scenario whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are due to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a periodically leaky backline.

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

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable the team would be in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as an essential England player.

This winning streak is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the hero faced the North End at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are rare in football and should be relished.