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It was eight weeks prior when the Villa attacker was standing on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as Unai Emery admonished him for missing a pass in behind. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained whether his displays were a sign or the source of Villa's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the sideline response was entirely decidedly more positive. After the England international drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim his side's advantage, Emery discarded his winter coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The team were on their way to ten wins in a row and despite not winning any of their first six matches, are somehow only three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?

This is a particularly tough query to resolve. The historical record, the traditional standing of the club, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been completely commanding in many games, despite the fact the positive results have piled up.

As per the data, twice all season has the team posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a team that have strung together ten consecutive victories, they look strangely fragile – yet right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic appears to be to trade blows with rivals and then rely on Rogers to save the day with a couple of precise efforts. This was the case against Leeds, it transpired in London, and again when facing United.

Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, bent just inside the upright from a wide position. For his second was essentially a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he seized 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. Against United, the opposition managed more efforts and more shots on target. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all except one of those fixtures.

A reversion to average may well be the biggest rival the club will encounter over the coming weeks. Rogers, surely, will not continue to blasting the ball past despairing goalkeepers forever.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players may yet return to peak condition.

• The main striker may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The winger may rediscover the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually return from injury, strengthening a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds for a sustained push, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, few could imagine the young forward now would be spearheading a hunt for the title while looking like an essential England player.

This winning streak should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. When the match-winner faced the Villa faithful when the game ended leading the celebrations, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.