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It was eight weeks prior when the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while his coach berated him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, as Villa went six without a win, the question was whether Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause for the side's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, though, the manager's outburst proved to be decidedly more positive. When the England international drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician discarded his coat, spread his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club were on their way to a 10th successive win and after failing to win any of their first six fixtures, now sit only three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Title Contenders?

It remains a particularly tough proposition to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Furthermore, they've rarely been completely commanding in many games, while the positive results have stacked up.

Per Opta, twice all season has the team had an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a team which has put together ten consecutive victories, Villa seem weirdly vulnerable – but right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach appears to be to trade blows with rivals and then rely on their star man to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. It happened against Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more against United.

His opener came from a brilliant finish, arced just inside the post from a wide position. The follow-up goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of the opener 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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opponents had more shots and more shots on target. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those matches.

A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent they have to face over the coming weeks. The forward, surely, cannot maintain drilling his shots past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists an alternative path whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs might still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins might resume finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the player he showed during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs are due to regain fitness, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the possibility for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this is a surprise. Few believed Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought Rogers as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a vital England player.

The current run must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. When the match-winner stood in front of the North End when the game ended leading the celebrations, it was clear to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These spells are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.