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A mere two months in the past that the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery berated him for not reading a pass in behind. At that point, as the club endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if his performances were a sign or the source of the team's wider issues.

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

In the latest match, though, the sideline response was entirely far more favourable. When Rogers drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician ripped off his coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team marched on to a 10th successive win and despite not winning their initial half-dozen matches, now sit only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?

It remains an exceptionally difficult query to address. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, their performances haven't been wholly dominant this season, while the victories have piled up.

Per Opta, twice all season has the side had an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a club that have strung together ten consecutive victories, they seem curiously susceptible – yet currently the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy looks like to engage in a shootout with an opponent and then rely on Rogers to rescue them with two precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and it happened when facing the Red Devils.

His opener stemmed from a brilliant finish, curled right inside the upright from the edge of the area. For his second was essentially a slight scruffier version of the opener as he pounced 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?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, Manchester United had a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all but one of those matches.

A reversion to average might be the biggest rival Villa have to face as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, cannot maintain thrashing his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is an alternative path where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players might still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent could transform into the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, strengthening a sometimes shaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would sit third at Christmas. And without a doubt two months ago, no one envisioned Rogers now would be spearheading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a vital England player.

This remarkable period must be cherished precisely because it seems so surreal. As the match-winner faced the home supporters at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.