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It was eight weeks prior that the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery admonished him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. Back then, with the team went six without a win, it wasn't clear if his performances were a sign or the source of the team's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, however, the manager's outburst proved to be far more favourable. When Rogers curled home his second to restore his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his winter coat, spread his arms and roared. The Birmingham club marched on to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their initial half-dozen games, find themselves a mere three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Title Contenders?

That’s a particularly tough query to resolve. The historical record, the traditional standing of the club, argues against it. Moreover, they've rarely been completely commanding during this run, while the wins have accumulated.

Per the data, in only two games has the side had an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a club who have strung together 10 in a row, they seem weirdly vulnerable – but currently the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with the opposition and wait for their star man to save the day with two clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it occurred in London, and again against the Red Devils.

His opener originated from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the goal frame from a wide position. The follow-up goal acted as a slight scruffier version of the opener 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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opposition had a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. The team has won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those matches.

Regression to the mean may well be the most significant challenge Villa have to face in the near future. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot keep on blasting the ball past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists a different scenario where, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players may yet find their top level.

• The centre-forward could start finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the performer he resembled during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to come back from the treatment room, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility for a sustained push, but they surely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

But then, this is a surprise. Few believed Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And without a doubt back in October, no one envisioned the young forward as the year closed would be leading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a crucial Three Lions star.

This remarkable period is to be savoured precisely because it appears so improbable. When the hero faced the North End at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and must be appreciated.