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Just eight weeks prior when the young forward was standing on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager scolded him for not reading a penetrating pass. At that point, as Villa failed to win in six, doubts remained whether his displays were a symptom or the reason for Villa's broader struggles.

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

In the latest match, though, the touchline reaction proved to be decidedly more positive. After the England international swept in his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, the boss ripped off his coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team marched on to a 10th successive win and despite not winning their opening six matches, are somehow a mere three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?

That’s an exceptionally difficult query to address. The historical record, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, their performances haven't been wholly dominant this season, even as the wins have stacked up.

Per Opta, on just two occasions has the side registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a team that have just won ten consecutive victories, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the margins are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy appears to be to trade blows with an opponent and wait for their star man to save the day with a couple of precise efforts. This was the case at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and once more when facing United.

Rogers' first goal came from an exquisite effort, arced right inside the upright from the edge of the area. For his second acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he seized 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.”

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, Manchester United registered more efforts and more shots on target. They have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those matches.

A reversion to average may well be the most significant challenge they will encounter in the near future. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling his shots into the top corner week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is another reality where, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins could start adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the performer he was in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

However, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And certainly back in October, no one envisioned the midfielder as the year closed would be leading a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial Three Lions star.

This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When Rogers positioned himself before the Villa faithful at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and must be appreciated.