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Just 60 days prior when the Villa attacker was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager berated him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. During that period, as Villa failed to win in six, the question was whether his displays were a sign or the source of Villa's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, however, the sideline response proved to be far more favourable. When the England international swept in his second to restore the lead for Villa, Emery tore off his coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa marched on to a 10th successive win and having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, find themselves only three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Serious Title Contenders?

That’s an exceptionally difficult query to answer. History, the perceived status of Villa, argues against it. Furthermore, their performances haven't been completely commanding this season, despite the fact the victories have piled up.

As per Opta, twice all season have Villa registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a side that have put together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans appear curiously susceptible – but currently the margins are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

The current approach appears to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition before hoping their star man to save the day with a couple of crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and once more against United.

His opener stemmed from an exquisite effort, arced right inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of goal number one 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.”

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opposition had more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those fixtures.

A reversion to average could be the most significant challenge the club have to face in the near future. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain thrashing his shots into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs may yet rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the player he was during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a genuine bid, but they surely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

However, this was unforeseen. Few believed Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And without a doubt earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward now would be leading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a vital Three Lions star.

The current run is to be savoured for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, he seemed to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.