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It was 60 days ago when the Villa attacker was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as Unai Emery scolded him over missing a pass in behind. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were a symptom or the source for the team's broader struggles.

“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”

On Sunday, however, the sideline response was entirely decidedly more positive. After the England international curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore Villa's lead, the boss tore off his winter coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The team continued to a 10th successive win , despite not winning their initial half-dozen matches, find themselves just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Serious Hopefuls?

That’s a rather hard query to answer. Past precedent, the perceived status of this institution, argues against it. Additionally, they have not been entirely convincing during this run, even as the positive results have piled up.

According to statistical analysis, twice all season have Villa posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a side that have just won 10 in a row, the Villans appear strangely fragile – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with the opposition and wait for their star man to bail them out with some crisp finishes. This was the case away to Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and once more when facing the Red Devils.

The initial strike originated from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the post from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

“Perhaps Rogers’ right foot is becoming like Arjen Robben’s left: just because you know he’s going to whip the ball into the top corner doesn’t mean you can stop him.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opponents had more efforts and more shots on target. Villa have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all except one of those games.

A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent Villa have to face over the coming weeks. Their key man, surely, cannot keep on thrashing his shots into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is an alternative path whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players might still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward could start finding the net regularly.
• The winger might become the performer he resembled during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually return from injury, strengthening a sometimes shaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the possibility of a title challenge, but they surely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this is a surprise. Few believed Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And certainly two months ago, no one envisioned the midfielder now would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while establishing himself as an essential England player.

This winning streak is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. When the hero positioned himself before the North End when the game ended leading the celebrations, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and must be appreciated.