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A mere eight weeks prior when the Villa attacker was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while the Villa manager scolded him over not reading a pass in behind. At that point, with the team went six without a win, the question was if his performances 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.”

In the latest match, however, the manager's outburst proved to be far more favourable. When Rogers curled home his second strike to reclaim Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his jacket, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their opening six fixtures, are somehow just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Hopefuls?

That’s a particularly tough proposition to resolve. The historical record, the traditional standing of Villa, suggests not. Furthermore, their performances haven't been completely commanding this season, even as the positive results have stacked up.

As per statistical analysis, in only two games has the team registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a team who have put together 10 in a row, Villa look curiously susceptible – however currently the margins are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach seems to be to exchange chances with rivals and wait for their star man to bail them out with two crisp finishes. It happened away to Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened versus Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal came from an exquisite effort, curled precisely inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of goal number one capitalizing 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opposition registered more shots and more shots on target. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean could be the greatest opponent the club will encounter in the near future. Their key man, in all likelihood, will not continue to drilling the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists another reality in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs might still find their top level.

• The centre-forward might resume scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the performer he resembled in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually return from injury, strengthening a sometimes shaky backline.

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

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt back in October, nobody thought Rogers as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit and appearing as a vital England player.

This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it appears so improbable. When the match-winner stood in front of the home supporters when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and must be appreciated.