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A mere eight weeks ago that the young forward stood on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as his coach scolded him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. During that period, as the club failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if his displays were a sign or a cause for the team's broader struggles.

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

In the latest match, however, the sideline response was far more favourable. After the in-form star drilled in his second strike to restore his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The team were on their way to ten wins in a row and after failing to win any of their first six games, now sit just three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Title Contenders?

It remains a rather hard proposition to answer. History, the perceived status of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they've rarely been completely commanding in many games, while the victories have piled up.

According to Opta, in only two games has the side registered an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a team that have put together ten consecutive victories, Villa seem weirdly vulnerable – yet currently the margins are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic looks like to trade blows with the opposition and then rely on their star man to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and it happened against United.

His opener came from a superb shot, bent right inside the post from the edge of the area. For his second was essentially a slight scruffier version of the opener as he pounced 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?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opponents registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all but one of those matches.

Regression to the mean could be the biggest rival the club have to face as the season progresses. The forward, in all likelihood, will not continue to drilling his shots into the top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists another reality where, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players may yet rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins could start scoring again.
• The winger may rediscover the player he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to regain fitness, bolstering a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, few could imagine Rogers now would be spearheading a championship pursuit and appearing as a vital player for the national team.

This winning streak must be cherished for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As the match-winner faced the Villa faithful when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are rare in football and should be relished.