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Just 60 days ago when the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as his coach scolded him over not reading a pass in behind. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether his performances were a sign or the reason for the side's more general malaise.

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

On Sunday, in contrast, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. When the in-form star swept in his second strike to restore Villa's lead, Emery tore off his winter coat, spread his arms and roared. The Birmingham club were on their way to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning their opening six games, find themselves a mere three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Hopefuls?

It remains a particularly tough question to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, even as the positive results have accumulated.

Per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the side posted an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a club that have strung together 10 in a row, the Villans appear curiously susceptible – however currently the fine lines are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach seems to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for their star man to save the day with two crisp finishes. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired in London, and once more against the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal originated from an exquisite effort, curled just inside the upright from the edge of the area. For his second was essentially a slight scruffier version of the opener capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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, the opposition had more efforts and more shots on target. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those matches.

A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent the club must confront in the near future. Their key man, surely, cannot maintain thrashing the ball past despairing goalkeepers forever.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
• The winger might become the force he showed in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the potential for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

But then, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Aston Villa would sit third at Christmas. And without a doubt two months ago, few could imagine Rogers now would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a crucial player for the national team.

This winning streak should be enjoyed exactly since it feels so unlikely. As the hero positioned himself before the Villa faithful after the match conducting the cheers, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. Such periods do not happen often and must be appreciated.