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A mere 60 days prior when the Villa attacker found himself on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while his coach admonished him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, as the club endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his performances were a symptom or the reason for the team's more general malaise.

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

On Sunday, however, the touchline reaction proved to be much more joyous. When the in-form star swept in his second strike to restore Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician discarded his winter coat, spread his arms and bellowed. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row , after failing to win any of their first six fixtures, now sit just three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?

That’s a rather hard question to address. The historical record, a general sense of Villa, argues against it. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing during this run, even as the victories have piled up.

As per the data, on just two occasions has the side registered an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a team that have just won 10 in a row, they look strangely fragile – but currently the margins are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

The current approach appears to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and wait for their talisman to save the day with some crisp finishes. This was the case against Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and again against the Red Devils.

The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, curled precisely inside the post from a wide position. For his second proved to be a somewhat messier replica of goal number one as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

“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?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, Manchester United managed a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those matches.

Regression to the mean might be the greatest opponent they have to face over the coming weeks. Their key man, surely, cannot keep on drilling the ball into the net's top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures might still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins could start scoring again.
• The attacking talent might become the force he resembled in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a periodically leaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the possibility of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

However, this is a surprise. Few believed the team would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine the young forward by the end of the year would be leading a hunt for the title while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.

This remarkable period must be cherished for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As Rogers stood in front of the North End at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These spells are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.