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It was 60 days prior when the young forward was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while his coach scolded him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained if Rogers' form were a symptom or the source for the side's wider issues.

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

This weekend, however, the touchline reaction was entirely far more favourable. As the England international swept in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician ripped off his winter coat, opened his arms and roared. Villa continued to ten wins in a row and despite not winning their initial half-dozen fixtures, now sit a mere three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Challengers?

That’s an exceptionally difficult proposition to answer. History, the traditional standing of Villa, indicates otherwise. Additionally, their performances haven't been completely commanding this season, while the positive results have stacked up.

According to Opta, on just two occasions has the side had an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a side that have just won ten consecutive victories, the Villans look strangely fragile – yet at the moment the margins are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach seems to be to trade blows with an opponent before hoping their talisman to save the day with two clinical strikes. It happened at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened versus the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal originated from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the post from the edge of the area. For his second was essentially a slight scruffier version of the opener as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

“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. Against United, the opponents had more shots and more shots on target. The team has secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent the club must confront over the coming weeks. Their key man, in all likelihood, will not continue to drilling the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures might still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
• The attacking talent might become the force he showed in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are due to regain fitness, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable backline.

This could contain the possibility for a sustained push, but they surely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine the young forward now would be spearheading a hunt for the title while looking like an essential Three Lions star.

The current run should be enjoyed for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As Rogers positioned himself before the North End when the game ended conducting the cheers, it was clear to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.