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A mere 60 days prior that Morgan Rogers was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while Unai Emery scolded him over not reading a through-ball. During that period, as Villa went six without a win, doubts remained if his displays were an indicator or the source for Villa's more general malaise.

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

On Sunday, though, the sideline response was entirely much more joyous. As the in-form star swept in his brace-sealing goal to restore Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The team were on their way to a 10th successive win , despite not winning any of their first six fixtures, find themselves just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Challengers?

It remains a rather hard query to answer. History, the traditional standing of this institution, indicates otherwise. Additionally, their performances haven't been completely commanding this season, while the positive results have piled up.

As per the data, on just two occasions has the side had an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a team which has strung together 10 in a row, Villa look curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy looks like to trade blows with rivals and wait for their talisman to save the day with two crisp finishes. It happened against Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again against United.

His opener came from a superb shot, curled right inside the upright from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of his first as he pounced 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.”

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opponents managed a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. The team has won each of their last eight by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those games.

Regression to the mean may well be the greatest opponent the club will encounter in the near future. Their key man, surely, cannot keep on thrashing the football past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists an alternative path in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho might become the player he resembled during his peak.
• The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, strengthening a sometimes shaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought Rogers by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.

The current run is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. When the match-winner stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, he seemed to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. Such periods are rare in football and should be relished.