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A mere 60 days prior that the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager berated him for missing a through-ball. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his performances were a sign or the reason of the side's broader struggles.

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

In the latest match, in contrast, the touchline reaction proved to be far more favourable. As the in-form star curled home his second to reinstate Villa's lead, the boss tore off his coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa marched on to ten wins in a row and despite not winning any of their first six fixtures, are somehow just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Serious Challengers?

This is an exceptionally difficult query to answer. Past precedent, the traditional standing of the club, argues against it. Moreover, they've rarely been wholly dominant this season, while the positive results have accumulated.

As per statistical analysis, in only two games has the side registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a side which has put together ten consecutive victories, Villa look strangely fragile – however currently the fine lines are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach seems to be to exchange chances with rivals before hoping their talisman to save the day with a couple of clinical strikes. This was the case against Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and it happened when facing Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal originated from a superb shot, curled precisely inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opponents managed more efforts and more direct attempts. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all except one of those fixtures.

A reversion to average may well be the biggest rival they will encounter in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot maintain blasting the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

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

• The main striker might resume scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the force he showed during his peak.
• The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, strengthening a periodically leaky backline.

This could contain the seeds of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this was unforeseen. Few believed the team would sit in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt two months ago, nobody thought Rogers as the year closed would be spearheading a title charge while establishing himself as a vital England player.

The current run must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. When the match-winner positioned himself before the North End when the game ended orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.