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A mere two months prior when Morgan Rogers stood on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as Unai Emery berated him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. At that point, as the club failed to win in six, doubts remained whether his displays were a symptom or the reason of the team's more general malaise.

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

On Sunday, though, the manager's outburst proved to be far more favourable. After Rogers drilled in his second to reinstate the lead for Villa, the boss discarded his winter coat, spread his arms and roared. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their initial half-dozen matches, find themselves only three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Challengers?

This is an exceptionally difficult question to resolve. History, the traditional standing of the club, suggests not. Additionally, their performances haven't been entirely convincing in many games, despite the fact the wins have stacked up.

Per the data, in only two games has the team registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a team that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, they look weirdly vulnerable – yet right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with an opponent before hoping their star man to rescue them with two crisp finishes. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened versus the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal originated from an exquisite effort, curled just inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. For his second was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one 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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opposition registered a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. They have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all but one of those matches.

A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge the club have to face in the near future. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot keep on drilling the football into the net's top corner forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be an alternative path whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent could transform into the player he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually regain fitness, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the possibility of a title challenge, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable the team would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine the young forward now would be spearheading a title charge while looking like an essential England player.

This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As the match-winner stood in front of the home supporters after the match orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are rare in football and should be relished.