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It was eight weeks prior that the Villa attacker stood on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery berated him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. During that period, as the club endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were a sign or the source of Villa's more general malaise.

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

In the latest match, in contrast, the touchline reaction was decidedly more positive. When the England international curled home his second to reinstate the lead for Villa, the boss discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and bellowed. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, find themselves just three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?

It remains a particularly tough query to address. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing in many games, despite the fact the positive results have stacked up.

Per Opta, twice all season has the team posted an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a team which has just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa seem strangely fragile – but currently the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The current approach looks like to engage in a shootout with rivals before hoping their talisman to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. This occurred at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened versus the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal originated from a brilliant finish, arced precisely inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. For his second acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

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

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opponents had a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all but one of those games.

A reversion to average could be the biggest rival the club have to face over the coming weeks. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to blasting the football past despairing goalkeepers forever.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players might still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the player he resembled during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually return from injury, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defence.

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

Savoring the Moment

But then, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt two months ago, few could imagine Rogers now would be spearheading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a crucial Three Lions star.

The current run must be cherished precisely because it seems so surreal. When the match-winner faced the home supporters after the match conducting the cheers, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These spells do not happen often and should be relished.