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It was 60 days prior when the Villa attacker was standing on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager admonished him for missing a pass in behind. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if his displays were a symptom or a cause of the team's more general malaise.

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

On Sunday, in contrast, the touchline reaction was entirely far more favourable. As the England international swept in his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, the boss ripped off his coat, opened his arms and bellowed. Villa were on their way to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, are somehow a mere three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Challengers?

That’s a particularly tough query to address. The historical record, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing this season, while the victories have accumulated.

Per statistical analysis, in only two games has the side registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a club that have strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa appear weirdly vulnerable – but right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and then rely on Rogers to bail them out with two crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it occurred in London, and again against Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal originated from a superb shot, arced just inside the post from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of his first capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.

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

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opponents managed a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. The team has secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all except one of those matches.

Regression to the mean may well be the greatest opponent they will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain thrashing the ball into the net's top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Could it be another reality in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players could still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker could start adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the player he was in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to regain fitness, strengthening a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

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

Savoring the Moment

However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And certainly two months ago, no one envisioned Rogers by the end of the year would be leading a title charge while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.

The current run is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the hero positioned himself before the North End at the final whistle conducting the cheers, it was clear to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and should be relished.