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A mere two months in the past when Morgan Rogers found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as his coach scolded him for not reading a through-ball. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were an indicator or the reason 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 touchline reaction was decidedly more positive. When the England international curled home his brace-sealing goal to reclaim the lead for Villa, Emery ripped off his coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The team were on their way to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their opening six fixtures, are somehow a mere three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?

It remains a rather hard query to resolve. History, the perceived status of Villa, argues against it. Additionally, their performances haven't been wholly dominant this season, despite the fact the victories have stacked up.

According to the data, on just two occasions has the side registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a club which has just won 10 in a row, they appear weirdly vulnerable – however right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach looks like to exchange chances with the opposition before hoping Rogers to rescue them with a couple of precise efforts. This occurred away to Leeds, it occurred in London, and again when facing United.

His opener originated from a brilliant finish, curled precisely inside the goal frame from a wide position. For his second proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he pounced 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.”

Can It Last?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opponents had a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. They have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those games.

Regression to the mean may well be the biggest rival they have to face as the season progresses. Rogers, surely, cannot keep on drilling the football into the top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is an alternative path whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players might still find their top level.

• The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
• The winger might become the force he resembled in Germany.
• The defensive duo are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Maybe within that lies the potential of a genuine bid, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt two months ago, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a vital Three Lions star.

This remarkable period must be cherished for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. As the hero positioned himself before the Villa faithful at the final whistle conducting the cheers, it was clear to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These spells are rare in football and should be relished.