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Just 60 days prior when the young forward was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused as the Villa manager berated him over missing a pass in behind. During that period, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if Rogers' form were a symptom or the source of the team's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, in contrast, the sideline response was entirely decidedly more positive. When Rogers drilled in his second to reclaim Villa's lead, the boss discarded his jacket, opened his arms and roared. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row , despite not winning their initial half-dozen fixtures, find themselves a mere three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Serious Title Contenders?

It remains a rather hard proposition to answer. History, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Additionally, they've rarely been entirely convincing during this run, despite the fact the victories have piled up.

According to Opta, in only two games has the side posted an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a side which has strung together a ten-match winning streak, they look strangely fragile – but currently the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for Rogers to bail them out with some precise efforts. This was the case away to Leeds, it occurred in London, and it happened against Manchester United.

The initial strike stemmed from an exquisite effort, arced precisely inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opposition registered a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those games.

Regression to the mean may well be the most significant challenge they must confront in the near future. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot keep on thrashing the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is an alternative path in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures could still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins could start adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent might become the performer he resembled during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine Rogers by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title and appearing as a vital player for the national team.

This winning streak should be enjoyed precisely because it seems so surreal. As Rogers stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, it was clear to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. Such periods do not happen often and must be appreciated.