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Just two months ago when the young forward stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while Unai Emery scolded him for not reading a pass in behind. During that period, as the club endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his displays were a symptom or the reason for Villa's wider issues.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the touchline reaction was much more joyous. As the in-form star curled home his second strike to reclaim Villa's lead, the boss discarded his jacket, spread his arms and roared. The Birmingham club continued to a 10th successive win and after failing to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, are somehow just three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Title Contenders?

This is an exceptionally difficult question to resolve. History, the perceived status of Villa, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been entirely convincing in many games, even as the victories have stacked up.

As per Opta, twice all season has the side had an xG more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a club that have just won a ten-match winning streak, they seem weirdly vulnerable – but at the moment the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with an opponent and wait for Rogers to rescue them with two crisp finishes. It happened against Leeds, it happened in London, and once more when facing United.

His opener came from a superb shot, curled just inside the post from a wide position. For his second acted as a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

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

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, Manchester United had more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those games.

A statistical correction might be the most significant challenge they will encounter over the coming weeks. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on drilling his shots into the top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still find their top level.

• The main striker may begin to scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the performer he resembled in Germany.
• The defensive duo are due to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a periodically leaky backline.

This could contain the potential for a sustained push, but they surely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, no one envisioned Rogers now would be spearheading a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial player for the national team.

This winning streak is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner positioned himself before the Villa faithful after the match conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.