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A mere eight weeks prior that the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as Unai Emery berated him over missing a pass in behind. At that point, as the club failed to win in six, doubts remained if his displays were a symptom or the reason of the side's wider issues.

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

In the latest match, in contrast, the sideline response was far more favourable. After the in-form star curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore the lead for Villa, the boss ripped off his coat, opened his arms and roared. The team marched on to a 10th successive win , after failing to win any of their first six matches, find themselves only three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Hopefuls?

That’s an exceptionally difficult query to answer. History, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Moreover, their performances haven't been entirely convincing during this run, while the wins have stacked up.

Per statistical analysis, twice all season has the side had an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a side which has put together 10 in a row, they appear weirdly vulnerable – yet right now the fine lines are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The current approach looks like to engage in a shootout with an opponent before hoping Rogers to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it happened in London, and again against Manchester United.

The initial strike originated from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the post from the corner of the box. For his second was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he pounced 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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opposition registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those matches.

A reversion to average may well be the biggest rival Villa will encounter over the coming weeks. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot maintain blasting the football into the top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is an alternative path in which, rather than luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures might still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker may begin to scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the performer he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, fortifying a sometimes shaky defence.

This could contain the potential of a title challenge, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

However, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely earlier this season, nobody thought Rogers as the year closed would be leading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a crucial player for the national team.

This remarkable period is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. When Rogers positioned himself before the North End when the game ended conducting the cheers, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.