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Just 60 days ago that the young forward found himself on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while his coach admonished him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. During that period, as the club went six without a win, it wasn't clear whether his displays were an indicator or the source for 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, however, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. After the England international drilled in his second strike to reclaim his side's advantage, the boss ripped off his coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The Birmingham club marched on to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win their initial half-dozen games, are somehow just three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Title Contenders?

That’s a particularly tough question to answer. The historical record, a general sense of this institution, suggests not. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant in many games, while the wins have piled up.

According to Opta, in only two games have Villa had an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a club that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, Villa appear curiously susceptible – but currently the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach seems to be to exchange chances with the opposition and wait for Rogers to save the day with two crisp finishes. It happened against Leeds, it happened in London, and again when facing United.

Rogers' first goal came from a brilliant finish, arced just inside the upright from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of the opener capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

“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 opponents registered more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean could be the biggest rival Villa have to face as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on drilling his shots into the top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Could it be another reality whereby, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs might still return to peak condition.

• The main striker may begin to scoring again.
• The winger may rediscover the performer he was during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually come back from the treatment room, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defence.

This could contain the possibility of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, this is a surprise. Few believed Aston Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned Rogers as the year closed would be at the forefront of a title charge and appearing as a crucial player for the national team.

This winning streak must be cherished for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When Rogers stood in front of the home supporters after the match orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are rare in football and should be relished.