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Just 60 days ago when the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while Unai Emery admonished him over missing a pass in behind. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was if Rogers' form were a sign or the reason of Villa's more general malaise.

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

In the latest match, in contrast, the touchline reaction was entirely far more favourable. After the England international drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim Villa's lead, the boss tore off his jacket, opened his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club were on their way to ten wins in a row and having failed to win any of their first six matches, are somehow a mere three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Challengers?

This is a rather hard proposition to answer. History, the perceived status of this institution, suggests not. Additionally, they've rarely been entirely convincing during this run, even as the wins have piled up.

According to Opta, in only two games has the side registered an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a team which has put together ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear strangely fragile – yet right now the margins are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy appears to be to trade blows with rivals before hoping Rogers to rescue them with some crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and once more against the Red Devils.

His opener stemmed from a brilliant finish, curled just inside the upright from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of goal number one capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, the opponents had a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those matches.

A reversion to average might be the greatest opponent Villa have to face in the near future. The forward, almost certainly, cannot maintain drilling the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is another reality where, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins might resume scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the player he resembled in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are due to regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky defensive unit.

This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, but they surely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward by the end of the year would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a crucial Three Lions star.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed exactly since it appears so improbable. When the match-winner faced the home supporters when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These spells are rare in football and should be relished.