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It was eight weeks in the past that the Villa attacker was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while the Villa manager admonished him for not reading a penetrating pass. During that period, as Villa failed to win in six, the question was if his performances were a symptom or the reason for the team's wider issues.

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

This weekend, however, the manager's outburst was far more favourable. After the England international drilled in his second strike to restore his side's advantage, the boss ripped off his winter coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club marched on to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win any of their first six fixtures, are somehow a mere three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Serious Title Contenders?

This is a rather hard query to answer. Past precedent, the traditional standing of Villa, indicates otherwise. Moreover, their performances haven't been completely commanding this season, even as the positive results have accumulated.

According to Opta, in only two games have Villa posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a team who have put together 10 in a row, they appear strangely fragile – yet at the moment the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy appears to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition before hoping their talisman to save the day with some precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and once more against United.

His opener stemmed from a superb shot, curled right inside the upright from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

“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?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opponents had more shots and more direct attempts. The team has won each of their last eight by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those games.

A statistical correction might be the biggest rival Villa must confront over the coming weeks. The forward, almost certainly, cannot maintain drilling the ball into the top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists a different scenario whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players may yet return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins could start scoring again.
• The winger could transform into the player he was in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to come back from the treatment room, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought the team would sit in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, few could imagine the young forward by the end of the year would be leading a title charge while looking like a vital player for the national team.

The current run must be cherished for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. As the hero stood in front of the home supporters at the final whistle conducting the cheers, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.