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It was two months in the past that the Villa attacker found himself on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while his coach berated him for not reading a through-ball. During that period, as the club endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether Rogers' form were a sign or the source of Villa's wider issues.

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

In the latest match, though, the sideline response proved to be much more joyous. When Rogers swept in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his winter coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa continued to a tenth straight victory and despite not winning their opening six matches, are somehow just three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Title Contenders?

It remains an exceptionally difficult question to address. The historical record, the traditional standing of Villa, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, even as the wins have piled up.

Per statistical analysis, twice all season has the team registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a team who have put together ten consecutive victories, Villa seem strangely fragile – however right now the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on their star man to rescue them with two crisp finishes. This was the case at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened versus United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from an exquisite effort, bent right inside the upright from the corner of the box. For his second acted as a slight scruffier version of his first 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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Logic says not. In the recent win, Manchester United managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has won each of their last eight by just one goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those matches.

A reversion to average may well be the greatest opponent Villa must confront as the season progresses. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain thrashing the football past despairing goalkeepers forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be a different scenario whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players may yet find their top level.

• The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent might become the player he showed in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the potential of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

However, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely two months ago, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit and appearing as a vital player for the national team.

This winning streak is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. When the hero faced the Villa faithful at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and must be appreciated.