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Just eight weeks prior that Morgan Rogers found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery admonished him for not reading a through-ball. At that point, as the club endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if his performances were a sign or a cause of the side's broader struggles.

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

On Sunday, in contrast, the touchline reaction was decidedly more positive. When the in-form star drilled in his second to restore Villa's lead, the boss discarded his jacket, opened his arms and bellowed. The team were on their way to ten wins in a row and after failing to win their initial half-dozen matches, are somehow just three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Hopefuls?

It remains an exceptionally difficult proposition to resolve. The historical record, the traditional standing of this institution, argues against it. Furthermore, they have not been completely commanding this season, while the positive results have accumulated.

As per Opta, in only two games has the side posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a club which has just won ten consecutive victories, they look weirdly vulnerable – yet currently the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic looks like to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on their star man to save the day with two crisp finishes. This was the case away to Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened versus the Red Devils.

The initial strike came from a brilliant finish, bent just inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of the opener 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. Against United, the opposition managed more efforts and more direct attempts. The team has secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all except one of those games.

A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent the club have to face as the season progresses. The forward, surely, cannot keep on blasting the ball past despairing goalkeepers forever.

A Case for Belief

Could it be another reality in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.

• The main striker might resume scoring again.
• The winger could transform into the force he resembled in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to return from injury, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

But then, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And certainly two months ago, no one envisioned Rogers as the year closed would be leading a title charge while looking like an essential England player.

This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it appears so improbable. When the match-winner stood in front of the North End when the game ended orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.