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A mere eight weeks ago that the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager berated him for not reading a through-ball. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were an indicator or the reason of the side's wider issues.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the touchline reaction proved to be decidedly more positive. As Rogers curled home his second to restore the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician tore off his coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The team marched on to ten wins in a row , despite not winning their opening six matches, are somehow only three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Title Contenders?

It remains a rather hard proposition to address. The historical record, the perceived status of this institution, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they've rarely been entirely convincing this season, while the positive results have accumulated.

As per the data, twice all season have Villa had an xG significantly higher than the other team. For a club which has strung together ten consecutive victories, they look strangely fragile – however at the moment the fine lines are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach seems to be to exchange chances with an opponent and then rely on Rogers to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and it happened when facing United.

The initial strike stemmed from an exquisite effort, curled just inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of goal number one as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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. Against United, the opponents registered more efforts and more direct attempts. The team has won each of their last eight by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean might be the greatest opponent the club must confront as the season progresses. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot keep on blasting his shots into the top corner forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists an alternative path in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures could still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward might resume adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the performer he showed during his peak.
• The defensive duo are due to return from injury, bolstering a periodically leaky backline.

This could contain the possibility of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

However, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Aston Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned Rogers by the end of the year would be spearheading a title charge while establishing himself as a crucial player for the national team.

The current run must be cherished precisely because it appears so improbable. When Rogers stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.