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A mere two months ago when the young forward stood on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager scolded him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. At that point, with the team went six without a win, it wasn't clear if his performances were a symptom or a cause for the team's broader struggles.

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

On Sunday, however, the touchline reaction was entirely far more favourable. After the England international drilled in his second strike to reclaim Villa's lead, Emery tore off his jacket, opened his arms and bellowed. Villa continued to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win their opening six games, are somehow a mere three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Serious Challengers?

This is a rather hard query to answer. Past precedent, the perceived status of this institution, indicates otherwise. Additionally, their performances haven't been entirely convincing this season, while the positive results have piled up.

According to the data, on just two occasions have Villa posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a club that have just won a ten-match winning streak, they appear strangely fragile – yet currently the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach seems to be to trade blows with an opponent before hoping Rogers to bail them out with two clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and once more versus the Red Devils.

The initial strike stemmed from a superb shot, bent just inside the goal frame from a wide position. For his second acted as a somewhat messier replica of goal number one as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

“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.”

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, the opposition registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those matches.

A reversion to average could be the biggest rival they will encounter in the near future. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to blasting his shots into the top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is another reality whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs may yet rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The winger could transform into the player he showed during his peak.
• The defensive duo are set to come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this is a surprise. Few believed Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And certainly earlier this season, few could imagine Rogers by the end of the year would be spearheading a hunt for the title while looking like a vital Three Lions star.

The current run should be enjoyed for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When the hero stood in front of the Villa faithful at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.