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A mere two months in the past that the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as his coach admonished him for missing a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if his performances were an indicator or the reason for the team's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, though, the manager's outburst was far more favourable. As the in-form star curled home his second to reinstate the lead for Villa, the boss tore off his coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The Birmingham club continued to a 10th successive win and after failing to win their initial half-dozen games, now sit only three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?

That’s an exceptionally difficult question to answer. Past precedent, the perceived status of Villa, suggests not. Additionally, they've rarely been wholly dominant this season, even as the wins have accumulated.

Per the data, in only two games has the side had an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a club who have put together 10 in a row, the Villans appear curiously susceptible – however at the moment the fine lines are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The current approach looks like to trade blows with rivals and wait for their star man to bail them out with a couple of clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and it happened against Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal originated from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the post from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of the opener capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, Manchester United managed more efforts and more shots on target. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those games.

A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge the club must confront as the season progresses. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain thrashing his shots into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Could it be another reality whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures may yet rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The winger might become the force he was in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And most definitely back in October, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit while looking like an essential England player.

This remarkable period must be cherished for the very reason that it appears so improbable. When Rogers faced the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.