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It was two months in the past that the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager admonished him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were a sign or the reason of the side's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, though, the sideline response proved to be far more favourable. After the in-form star curled home his second strike to reinstate Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician tore off his coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa continued to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their opening six games, now sit a mere three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Title Contenders?

It remains a particularly tough proposition to resolve. Past precedent, the perceived status of Villa, argues against it. Moreover, their performances haven't been completely commanding in many games, even as the positive results have piled up.

Per the data, on just two occasions has the team had an xG notably superior than the other team. For a club that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans look curiously susceptible – yet currently the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for their star man to bail them out with a couple of clinical strikes. This occurred at Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again against the Red Devils.

His opener came from an exquisite effort, bent precisely inside the post from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

“Perhaps Rogers’ right foot is becoming like Arjen Robben’s left: just because you know he’s going to whip the ball into the top corner doesn’t mean you can stop him.”

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, Manchester United registered more efforts and more shots on target. The team has secured their last eight victories by a single goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those games.

A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge Villa must confront in the near future. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to thrashing his shots into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists an alternative path where, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players may yet return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the force he showed during his peak.
• The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

But then, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Villa would sit third at Christmas. And certainly two months ago, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge and appearing as a vital Three Lions star.

This remarkable period is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner stood in front of the North End after the match conducting the cheers, he appeared to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.