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Just eight weeks ago that the young forward stood on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while his coach berated him over missing a through-ball. During that period, with the team went six without a win, the question was whether his displays were a sign or the source for the team's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the sideline response was entirely decidedly more positive. When Rogers swept in his second strike to restore his side's advantage, Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The team were on their way to ten wins in a row , after failing to win any of their first six matches, are somehow just three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Challengers?

This is a rather hard query to address. The historical record, the traditional standing of Villa, suggests not. Furthermore, they have not been completely commanding in many games, even as the positive results have piled up.

According to Opta, in only two games has the team posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a team that have just won ten consecutive victories, Villa appear weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the margins are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic appears to be to trade blows with rivals before hoping their talisman to bail them out with some precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more against United.

His opener originated from an exquisite effort, arced precisely inside the upright from a wide position. The follow-up goal acted as a slight scruffier version of the opener as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

“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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opposition had more efforts and more direct attempts. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those matches.

A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent they have to face over the coming weeks. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot keep on blasting his shots past despairing goalkeepers forever.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists another reality in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players could still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward might resume scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the player he was in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.

This could contain the possibility of a title challenge, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Aston Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, no one envisioned Rogers by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential England player.

This winning streak should be enjoyed for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. As the hero positioned himself before the North End at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. Such periods do not happen often and must be appreciated.