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Just two months in the past that the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery admonished him over missing a pass in behind. During that period, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, the question was if his displays were a symptom or a cause for Villa's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, though, the touchline reaction proved to be decidedly more positive. When the England international drilled in his second strike to reclaim his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, opened his arms and roared. Villa continued to ten wins in a row and despite not winning their initial half-dozen games, find themselves a mere three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?

This is a particularly tough question to answer. History, a general sense of the club, suggests not. Additionally, their performances haven't been wholly dominant this season, while the wins have accumulated.

Per statistical analysis, twice all season has the team registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a club that have put together ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear strangely fragile – yet right now the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy appears to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and then rely on their talisman to save the day with a couple of clinical strikes. This was the case against Leeds, it happened in London, and once more when facing the Red Devils.

The initial strike came from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the post from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal was essentially a somewhat messier replica of his first as he pounced 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. In the recent win, the opposition registered more shots and more shots on target. The team has won each of their last eight by just one goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those fixtures.

A reversion to average could be the biggest rival they will encounter over the coming weeks. Their key man, in all likelihood, will not continue to drilling the football into the top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players might still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the performer he showed during his peak.
• The defensive duo are set to return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this was unforeseen. Few believed the team would sit in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward now would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.

The current run must be cherished exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the hero faced the home supporters at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.