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It was 60 days ago that the young forward stood on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while his coach berated him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. Back then, as the club went six without a win, the question was if his displays were an indicator or a cause of the team's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, though, the sideline response proved to be decidedly more positive. When the in-form star curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician tore off his coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team marched on to a 10th successive win and despite not winning their opening six games, find themselves just three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?

It remains a rather hard proposition to address. The historical record, the perceived status of this institution, suggests not. Additionally, their performances haven't been entirely convincing this season, while the victories have accumulated.

Per Opta, twice all season has the team registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a team that have strung together 10 in a row, Villa appear weirdly vulnerable – however currently the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

The current approach looks like to engage in a shootout with the opposition before hoping their talisman to rescue them with some precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and again when facing United.

His opener originated from an exquisite effort, bent just inside the post from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of goal number one capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, Manchester United registered a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. The team has secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those matches.

A statistical correction might be the biggest rival they must confront over the coming weeks. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain blasting the ball into the top corner week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Could it be an alternative path in which, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins might resume adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are set to regain fitness, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the possibility for a sustained push, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought the team would be in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine Rogers by the end of the year would be leading a championship pursuit and appearing as an essential Three Lions star.

The current run is to be savoured precisely because it seems so surreal. When the hero positioned himself before the North End at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he seemed to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These spells do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.