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A mere eight weeks prior that the Villa attacker stood on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while his coach scolded him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. Back then, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause for Villa's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, however, the manager's outburst was much more joyous. When the England international swept in his brace-sealing goal to restore his side's advantage, Emery ripped off his winter coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The team continued to ten wins in a row , despite not winning their opening six fixtures, are somehow just three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Challengers?

It remains an exceptionally difficult question to resolve. History, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been wholly dominant during this run, even as the victories have stacked up.

As per Opta, twice all season has the side posted an xG notably superior than the other team. For a team that have just won ten consecutive victories, the Villans seem strangely fragile – but at the moment the margins are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach seems to be to trade blows with rivals before hoping their talisman to save the day with two crisp finishes. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired in London, and again against United.

His opener stemmed from an exquisite effort, bent right inside the goal frame from a wide position. For his second was essentially a somewhat messier replica of his first capitalizing 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?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opposition had a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. The team has secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all except one of those matches.

Regression to the mean might be the biggest rival they will encounter over the coming weeks. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot keep on drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is another reality in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the performer he resembled in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are due to return from injury, fortifying a periodically leaky defensive unit.

This could contain the seeds of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be leading a title charge and appearing as a vital England player.

This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it appears so improbable. When the hero stood in front of the North End at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These spells are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.