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A mere 60 days in the past that the Villa attacker found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager admonished him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. Back then, as Villa went six without a win, doubts remained if his performances were a symptom or the source of Villa's broader struggles.

“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”

This weekend, though, the manager's outburst proved to be far more favourable. When Rogers curled home his second to reclaim the lead for Villa, the boss ripped off his winter coat, spread his arms and roared. Villa were on their way to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, are somehow only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?

This is a particularly tough query to answer. 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 statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the side registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a team that have put together 10 in a row, they appear weirdly vulnerable – but currently the fine lines are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach appears to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition and then rely on their star man to rescue them with a couple of precise efforts. This occurred at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and it happened when facing the Red Devils.

The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, arced right inside the upright from the edge of the area. For his second proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. Against United, the opposition managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction might be the greatest opponent they must confront in the near future. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain blasting the ball into the top corner forever.

Potential for Growth

Could it be another reality where, rather than luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures might still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The winger might become the player he resembled in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually return from injury, strengthening a sometimes shaky backline.

This could contain the potential of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would sit third at Christmas. And certainly back in October, no one envisioned the young forward by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while looking like an essential player for the national team.

The current run must be cherished precisely because it appears so improbable. As the match-winner faced the home supporters at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.