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Just eight weeks in the past when the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while his coach admonished him for not reading a pass in behind. During that period, as Villa went six without a win, the question was if Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause of Villa's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, though, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. As the in-form star swept in his second to reinstate Villa's lead, Emery discarded his jacket, spread his arms and roared. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, are somehow a mere three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Challengers?

That’s a particularly tough query to address. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, argues against it. Additionally, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, even as the wins have stacked up.

According to the data, twice all season have Villa registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a side who have just won ten consecutive victories, Villa look strangely fragile – however at the moment the fine lines are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy looks like to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for their talisman to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. This occurred at Leeds, it happened in London, and again when facing the Red Devils.

The initial strike stemmed from a superb shot, arced right inside the upright from the corner of the box. For his second acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.

“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?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opponents had a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. They have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those matches.

Regression to the mean may well be the greatest opponent the club must confront as the season progresses. Rogers, surely, cannot maintain drilling the football into the net's top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists another reality where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.

• The centre-forward could start adding to his goal tally.
• The winger could transform into the performer he resembled during his peak.
• The defensive duo are set to return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Maybe within that lies the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And certainly back in October, few could imagine Rogers now would be spearheading a championship pursuit while looking like a vital Three Lions star.

The current run should be enjoyed for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As Rogers faced the North End when the game ended leading the celebrations, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.