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A mere two months prior when the young forward stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused as Unai Emery berated him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. Back then, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if Rogers' form were a sign or the reason of the team's wider issues.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the touchline reaction proved to be decidedly more positive. When the England international curled home his second to reinstate the lead for Villa, the boss ripped off his coat, opened his arms and roared. Villa continued to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win any of their first six games, are somehow a mere three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Challengers?

That’s a particularly tough proposition to answer. History, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Additionally, they've rarely been wholly dominant during this run, even as the wins have piled up.

Per statistical analysis, twice all season have Villa registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a side who have strung together ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear strangely fragile – however right now the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for their star man to rescue them with some clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it occurred in London, and it happened when facing United.

His opener stemmed from a superb shot, curled precisely inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal was essentially a somewhat messier replica of the opener capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

“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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opposition had more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction could be the biggest rival Villa have to face in the near future. The forward, surely, will not continue to blasting the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is an alternative path in which, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players could still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the player he resembled during his peak.
• The defensive duo are set to regain fitness, fortifying a sometimes shaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the potential of a genuine bid, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, this is a surprise. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And certainly two months ago, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit while looking like a vital player for the national team.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed precisely because it appears so improbable. When the hero stood in front of the home supporters at the final whistle conducting the cheers, it was clear to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.