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A mere two months prior when the young forward found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as his coach admonished him for missing a pass in behind. During that period, as Villa went six without a win, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were a symptom or the source for Villa's more general malaise.

“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”

This weekend, though, the sideline response was decidedly more positive. After the England international curled home his second to reinstate Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his jacket, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win their opening six fixtures, are somehow a mere three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Challengers?

That’s a particularly tough proposition to answer. The historical record, the traditional standing of Villa, indicates otherwise. Additionally, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, while the victories have accumulated.

According to the data, on just two occasions have Villa registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a side which has strung together 10 in a row, they appear strangely fragile – yet currently the margins are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and then rely on Rogers to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened at Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and again against United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a superb shot, arced precisely inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of goal number one capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opponents registered more efforts and more shots on target. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all except one of those games.

A reversion to average might be the greatest opponent they must confront in the near future. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot maintain blasting the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players might still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward could start finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the performer he resembled during his peak.
• The defensive duo will eventually return from injury, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a title challenge, but they surely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable the team would sit in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, few could imagine the midfielder now would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a crucial England player.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed for the very reason that it appears so improbable. When Rogers stood in front of the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.