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Just 60 days prior when the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while his coach berated him for missing a through-ball. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were an indicator or a cause of the team's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, though, the sideline response proved to be much more joyous. As the England international curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate his side's advantage, the boss tore off his coat, spread his arms and roared. The Birmingham club marched on to ten wins in a row and after failing to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, find themselves just three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Hopefuls?

This is an exceptionally difficult question to answer. The historical record, the traditional standing of Villa, argues against it. Furthermore, they've rarely been wholly dominant during this run, despite the fact the positive results have accumulated.

As per Opta, twice all season have Villa posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a side that have put together ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear curiously susceptible – but right now the margins are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and wait for their talisman to bail them out with two precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it occurred in London, and again against Manchester United.

The initial strike originated from a brilliant finish, bent just inside the post from a wide position. The follow-up goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. Against United, the opponents registered more shots and more direct attempts. Villa have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those games.

Regression to the mean may well be the biggest rival Villa have to face in the near future. Their key man, almost certainly, will not continue to blasting his shots into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins could start scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the performer he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually regain fitness, bolstering a sometimes shaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a genuine bid, but they surely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt earlier this season, nobody thought Rogers now would be leading a championship pursuit and appearing as a crucial Three Lions star.

The current run is to be savoured for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As Rogers stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. Such periods do not happen often and must be appreciated.