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Just eight weeks in the past that the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as Unai Emery scolded him over missing a pass in behind. At that point, with the team went six without a win, it wasn't clear whether his performances were an indicator or the source for Villa's broader struggles.

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

In the latest match, though, the touchline reaction was far more favourable. As the in-form star drilled in his second to reinstate the lead for Villa, the boss discarded his coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club were on their way to a 10th successive win and having failed to win any of their first six matches, are somehow just three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Hopefuls?

It remains a particularly tough proposition to address. History, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they have not been completely commanding during this run, even as the victories have stacked up.

Per the data, twice all season has the side had an xG more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a club who have strung together ten consecutive victories, the Villans look weirdly vulnerable – yet currently the margins are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic seems to be to exchange chances with rivals and wait for their star man to rescue them with two clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more when facing Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, bent just inside the post from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of the opener 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opponents managed a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. They have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival they have to face in the near future. Their key man, surely, cannot maintain thrashing the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists an alternative path whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the player he showed during his peak.
• The defensive duo will eventually return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

This could contain the possibility for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought Rogers now would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.

The current run must be cherished precisely because it seems so surreal. As the match-winner stood in front of the North End at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.