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Just 60 days in the past when the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while the Villa manager berated him for missing a penetrating pass. During that period, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained whether his displays were an indicator or the reason for the side's wider issues.

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

This weekend, though, the touchline reaction was decidedly more positive. After the England international curled home his second to reinstate the lead for Villa, Emery discarded his coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club continued to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, find themselves only three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Challengers?

This is an exceptionally difficult query to answer. Past precedent, the perceived status of the club, suggests not. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing in many games, while the positive results have piled up.

As per Opta, in only two games has the team had an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a side that have strung together ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear strangely fragile – yet currently the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy appears to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition and then rely on their star man to save the day with two clinical strikes. This was the case at Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and it happened when facing Manchester United.

His opener stemmed from an exquisite effort, curled right inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. For his second proved to be a somewhat messier replica of the opener capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opposition registered more efforts and more shots on target. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those matches.

Regression to the mean could be the greatest opponent the club must confront as the season progresses. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot keep on blasting the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists another reality in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho might become the performer he resembled during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually regain fitness, strengthening a periodically leaky defensive unit.

This could contain the possibility of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

However, this is a surprise. Nobody thought the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt two months ago, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be leading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a crucial Three Lions star.

This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the match-winner positioned himself before the home supporters when the game ended leading the celebrations, it was clear to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.