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A mere two months prior when Morgan Rogers stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery scolded him for missing a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was if his displays were a symptom or a cause of Villa's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, however, the sideline response proved to be decidedly more positive. After the in-form star drilled in his second strike to restore the lead for Villa, Emery ripped off his winter coat, opened his arms and roared. Villa were on their way to a 10th successive win , despite not winning their opening six fixtures, are somehow only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Challengers?

This is a rather hard query to resolve. Past precedent, the perceived status of Villa, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant this season, despite the fact the wins have accumulated.

As per Opta, twice all season have Villa posted an xG notably superior than the other team. For a club that have put together ten consecutive victories, Villa seem curiously susceptible – yet currently the margins are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach seems to be to trade blows with an opponent and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. This was the case at Leeds, it transpired in London, and once more when facing United.

The initial strike came from a brilliant finish, curled right inside the post from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of his first as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opponents managed a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those matches.

A reversion to average may well be the most significant challenge Villa must confront over the coming weeks. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to blasting his shots into the top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be an alternative path whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures could still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins might resume adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho might become the force he resembled in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are set to return from injury, strengthening a periodically leaky backline.

Maybe within that lies the seeds for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

However, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely earlier this season, nobody thought Rogers as the year closed would be leading a title charge while establishing himself as a vital player for the national team.

The current run should be enjoyed for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As the match-winner positioned himself before the Villa faithful at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and must be appreciated.