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Just two months prior that the young forward stood on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager scolded him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. Back then, as Villa failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were a sign 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.”

In the latest match, in contrast, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. After the in-form star drilled in his second to restore the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician discarded his coat, spread his arms and bellowed. Villa were on their way to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win any of their first six matches, find themselves just three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?

That’s a rather hard proposition to address. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Furthermore, they've rarely been wholly dominant this season, even as the victories have accumulated.

As per the data, twice all season has the side registered an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a side who have just won a ten-match winning streak, they look weirdly vulnerable – but at the moment the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy appears to be to trade blows with an opponent and wait for Rogers to save the day with a couple of clinical strikes. This occurred away to Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more when facing United.

Rogers' first goal came from a brilliant finish, bent right inside the post from the corner of the box. For his second acted as a somewhat messier replica of his first as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

“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?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opposition managed more shots and more direct attempts. The team has secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those games.

Regression to the mean might be the most significant challenge the club have to face in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot keep on drilling his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins could start finding the net regularly.
• The winger may rediscover the performer he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are due to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

However, this was unforeseen. Few believed Aston Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the young forward now would be leading a championship pursuit while looking like a vital Three Lions star.

This winning streak is to be savoured precisely because it seems so surreal. As the match-winner stood in front of the North End when the game ended leading the celebrations, he appeared to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.