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Just eight weeks in the past when the young forward stood on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager admonished him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. Back then, as Villa failed to win in six, the question was whether his displays were an indicator or a cause for Villa's broader struggles.

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

In the latest match, though, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. When the in-form star swept in his second to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician tore off his coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The team continued to a 10th successive win and despite not winning their opening six games, find themselves a mere three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Hopefuls?

This is an exceptionally difficult proposition to address. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing during this run, even as the wins have stacked up.

Per the data, on just two occasions has the side registered an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a side who have strung together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans seem weirdly vulnerable – however at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic seems to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and wait for their talisman to rescue them with some precise efforts. This was the case away to Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and again when facing the Red Devils.

His opener stemmed from a superb shot, curled right inside the upright from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, Manchester United registered more shots and more shots on target. They have won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those matches.

A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent the club will encounter in the near future. Rogers, surely, will not continue to drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers forever.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is an alternative path in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures might still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward may begin to scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the force he showed in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually come back from the treatment room, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable the team would sit in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt back in October, nobody thought the young forward now would be leading a hunt for the title while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.

This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the hero stood in front of the home supporters when the game ended conducting the cheers, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These spells are rare in football and must be appreciated.