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It was eight weeks ago that the Villa attacker was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery scolded him over missing a penetrating pass. At that point, as the club endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if his displays were an indicator or the source of Villa's more general malaise.

“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”

In the latest match, though, the sideline response was entirely far more favourable. When Rogers curled home his second strike to reclaim his side's advantage, Emery discarded his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The team continued to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win any of their first six games, now sit a mere three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Challengers?

This is a rather hard question to answer. The historical record, the perceived status of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they have not been wholly dominant this season, even as the wins have stacked up.

According to Opta, twice all season has the side registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a team that have put together a ten-match winning streak, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for Rogers to bail them out with some clinical strikes. This occurred against Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and it happened against United.

His opener came from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the post from a wide position. For his second proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one capitalizing 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?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, Manchester United managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those games.

A statistical correction might be the most significant challenge they have to face as the season progresses. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot maintain thrashing his shots past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is an alternative path in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players may yet return to peak condition.

• The main striker could start finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent could transform into the performer he was during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to return from injury, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable backline.

This could contain the possibility of a title challenge, but they surely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

But then, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would sit third at Christmas. And most definitely two months ago, few could imagine the midfielder by the end of the year would be spearheading a title charge and appearing as a vital Three Lions star.

This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner stood in front of the home supporters at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.