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A mere eight weeks prior when the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager admonished him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. During that period, as Villa went six without a win, doubts remained if Rogers' form were a sign or the reason for Villa's wider issues.

“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”

In the latest match, however, the manager's outburst proved to be far more favourable. When the in-form star swept in his second to reclaim Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician ripped off his winter coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row and having failed to win any of their first six games, find themselves only three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Challengers?

This is a rather hard question to address. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Furthermore, they have not been entirely convincing this season, even as the positive results have piled up.

As per statistical analysis, in only two games have Villa posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a team that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, they appear weirdly vulnerable – yet right now the margins are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic seems to be to trade blows with rivals and wait for their star man to rescue them with two crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and again versus the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal came from an exquisite effort, arced precisely inside the upright from a wide position. The follow-up goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of the opener 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opposition registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those games.

A reversion to average could be the greatest opponent the club will encounter as the season progresses. Their key man, surely, cannot keep on blasting his shots into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists another reality where, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players might still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins could start adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the performer he resembled during his peak.
• The defensive duo are due to regain fitness, strengthening a periodically leaky defensive unit.

This could contain the potential of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, no one envisioned Rogers as the year closed would be leading a title charge while establishing himself as an essential England player.

This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As the match-winner faced the Villa faithful after the match orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. Such periods are rare in football and must be appreciated.