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Just two months prior when Morgan Rogers found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager admonished him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. During that period, as Villa went six without a win, doubts remained if his performances were an indicator or the reason for the team'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, however, the sideline response was decidedly more positive. When Rogers swept in his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, the boss ripped off his coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club marched on to a 10th successive win , having failed to win their opening six fixtures, now sit just three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Challengers?

That’s a particularly tough query to address. History, a general sense of Villa, argues against it. Furthermore, their performances haven't been completely commanding this season, even as the positive results have stacked up.

Per the data, on just two occasions has the team posted an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a team which has put together ten consecutive victories, the Villans look strangely fragile – however currently the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach seems to be to exchange chances with the opposition before hoping their star man to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and again against the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal came from a brilliant finish, bent just inside the upright from a wide position. The follow-up goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opposition registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those games.

Regression to the mean could be the biggest rival Villa have to face as the season progresses. Rogers, almost certainly, will not continue to drilling the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures might still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
• The winger could transform into the force he resembled in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to regain fitness, fortifying a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

But then, this is a surprise. Few believed the team would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt back in October, few could imagine the young forward by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.

This remarkable period is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the hero faced the Villa faithful after the match leading the celebrations, he appeared to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These spells do not happen often and should be relished.