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It was eight weeks prior that the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager scolded him over not reading a penetrating pass. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if his performances were a symptom or a cause for the side's more general malaise.

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

On Sunday, though, the manager's outburst proved to be far more favourable. When the England international curled home his second strike to reinstate his side's advantage, the boss tore off his jacket, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. Villa were on their way to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win any of their first six fixtures, are somehow a mere three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Hopefuls?

It remains a rather hard proposition to address. Past precedent, the perceived status of Villa, argues against it. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing in many games, even as the victories have stacked up.

According to the data, twice all season has the side had an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a club that have strung together 10 in a row, Villa appear curiously susceptible – but right now the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with two crisp finishes. This was the case away to Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened versus the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from an exquisite effort, curled just inside the upright from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

“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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opponents had a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those games.

A statistical correction could be the most significant challenge Villa have to face as the season progresses. Rogers, surely, will not continue to drilling his shots into the top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be a different scenario where, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs might still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker could start scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the force he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Maybe within that lies the possibility of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

But then, this is a surprise. Few believed the team would sit third at Christmas. And most definitely earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title and appearing as an essential player for the national team.

This winning streak is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. When Rogers positioned himself before the North End after the match leading the celebrations, he appeared to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. Such periods do not happen often and must be appreciated.