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Just 60 days ago when the young forward stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as Unai Emery admonished him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. Back then, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, the question was if his displays were an indicator or the source for the team's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, in contrast, the touchline reaction was decidedly more positive. After Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to reclaim his side's advantage, the boss discarded his winter coat, spread his arms and bellowed. The team marched on to ten wins in a row and after failing to win any of their first six fixtures, now sit just three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Title Contenders?

That’s a particularly tough query to answer. The historical record, the traditional standing of this institution, suggests not. Furthermore, they have not been entirely convincing in many games, despite the fact the wins have stacked up.

As per the data, twice all season has the side registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a team who have strung together 10 in a row, they seem weirdly vulnerable – however right now the margins are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic seems to be to trade blows with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to rescue them with a couple of crisp finishes. This occurred at Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again when facing the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal originated from a superb shot, bent just inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal acted as a slight scruffier version of his first 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.”

Can It Last?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, Manchester United managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has won each of their last eight by a single goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those fixtures.

A statistical correction might be the greatest opponent they have to face as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on drilling his shots into the net's top corner forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists another reality whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures may yet rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward could start scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the player he showed during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs are set to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

However, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would be in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt back in October, no one envisioned Rogers now would be spearheading a title charge while establishing himself as a vital England player.

This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When the hero stood in front of the North End after the match leading the celebrations, it was clear to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. Such periods are rare in football and must be appreciated.