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A mere eight weeks in the past when the Villa attacker found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as Unai Emery admonished him for not reading a pass in behind. Back then, as Villa failed to win in six, doubts remained if his performances were a sign or a cause for the side's broader struggles.

“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”

On Sunday, though, the sideline response proved to be decidedly more positive. When the England international curled home his second to restore the lead for Villa, Emery ripped off his coat, spread his arms and bellowed. The team continued to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win their opening six games, now sit a mere three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Hopefuls?

That’s a rather hard query to address. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant in many games, while the victories have accumulated.

According to Opta, twice all season have Villa had an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a side which has just won 10 in a row, Villa look curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the margins are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy appears to be to trade blows with rivals and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with some crisp finishes. This occurred against Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and once more against the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a superb shot, arced precisely inside the goal frame from a wide position. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of the opener capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opposition managed a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. The team has secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival the club have to face as the season progresses. Their key man, in all likelihood, will not continue to thrashing the football into the top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is an alternative path where, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still find their top level.

• The main striker could start scoring again.
• The attacking talent might become the performer he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are due to return from injury, fortifying a periodically leaky defensive unit.

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

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt earlier this season, few could imagine the young forward by the end of the year would be spearheading a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial player for the national team.

The current run should be enjoyed precisely because it seems so surreal. As Rogers stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These spells are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.