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Just two months ago when the young forward stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while the Villa manager scolded him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if his performances were an indicator or the reason of 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 touchline reaction was far more favourable. As the in-form star swept in his second to restore Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician discarded his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The Birmingham club continued to a 10th successive win and having failed to win their opening six games, find themselves a mere three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Title Contenders?

That’s an exceptionally difficult proposition to answer. Past precedent, the perceived status of Villa, suggests not. Furthermore, their performances haven't been completely commanding in many games, while the wins have accumulated.

According to Opta, twice all season have Villa had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a side who have just won ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear weirdly vulnerable – but currently the margins are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent before hoping their talisman to bail them out with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened at Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and it happened against Manchester United.

The initial strike stemmed from an exquisite effort, bent precisely inside the goal frame from a wide position. The follow-up goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of his first as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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.”

Can It Last?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, Manchester United registered a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all except one of those games.

Regression to the mean may well be the most significant challenge they have to face in the near future. Their key man, in all likelihood, will not continue to drilling the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists another reality whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs might still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the force he showed in Germany.
• The defensive duo are due to regain fitness, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, this is a surprise. Few believed Villa would sit third at Christmas. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought Rogers now would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title and appearing as an essential England player.

The current run must be cherished for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When Rogers positioned himself before the Villa faithful after the match orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These spells are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.