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It was eight weeks prior when the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while Unai Emery admonished him over missing a penetrating pass. During that period, as Villa went six without a win, it wasn't clear if his displays were an indicator or a cause of the team's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, however, the sideline response was far more favourable. As the in-form star swept in his brace-sealing goal to restore Villa's lead, Emery discarded his coat, opened his arms and roared. The Birmingham club were on their way to ten wins in a row , having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, are somehow just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Serious Challengers?

That’s a rather hard query to resolve. History, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing during this run, despite the fact the positive results have accumulated.

According to statistical analysis, twice all season have Villa posted an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a club who have just won a ten-match winning streak, they appear weirdly vulnerable – but currently the fine lines are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach looks like to trade blows with an opponent and wait for their talisman to bail them out with some clinical strikes. This occurred at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and once more versus Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal came from a brilliant finish, curled precisely inside the upright from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal acted as a slight scruffier version of his first as he seized 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.”

Can It Last?

Logic says not. Against United, the opposition had more efforts and more direct attempts. Villa have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those matches.

A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival the club have to face as the season progresses. The forward, surely, cannot maintain thrashing his shots into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Could it be another reality whereby, rather than luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures might still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward might resume scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the player he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a periodically leaky backline.

This could contain the possibility for a sustained push, but they surely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

However, this is a surprise. Nobody thought the team would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And certainly two months ago, nobody thought Rogers by the end of the year would be spearheading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a vital player for the national team.

This winning streak should be enjoyed precisely because it feels so unlikely. When the hero stood in front of the North End at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he appeared to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.