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A mere 60 days prior when the young forward stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery berated him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. During that period, as the club endured a six-game winless run, the question was if Rogers' form were a symptom or the reason of the team's wider issues.

“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”

This weekend, though, the touchline reaction proved to be decidedly more positive. After the England international swept in his second strike to restore Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, spread his arms and bellowed. The team were on their way to ten wins in a row and after failing to win their initial half-dozen games, find themselves just three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Title Contenders?

It remains an exceptionally difficult query to address. History, a general sense of Villa, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been completely commanding this season, while the victories have stacked up.

As per statistical analysis, twice all season have Villa posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a side which has strung together 10 in a row, they appear curiously susceptible – yet right now the margins are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic seems to be to exchange chances with an opponent and then rely on their star man to bail them out with two clinical strikes. It happened at Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and it happened against United.

Rogers' first goal originated from an exquisite effort, curled just inside the post from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of his first as he pounced 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.”

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, the opposition registered a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all but one of those games.

Regression to the mean could be the biggest rival the club must confront over the coming weeks. Rogers, surely, will not continue to thrashing his shots into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Could it be a different scenario whereby, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures may yet find their top level.

• The main striker might resume scoring again.
• The winger may rediscover the player he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds for a sustained push, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this is a surprise. Few believed Villa would be third at Christmas. And without a doubt two months ago, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be spearheading a title charge while establishing himself as a vital Three Lions star.

This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. When the hero faced the North End at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and must be appreciated.