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A mere eight weeks in the past when the young forward was standing on the Sunderland turf, looking confused as the Villa manager berated him over not reading a penetrating pass. Back then, as the club failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if his displays were an indicator or the source for Villa's wider issues.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the sideline response proved to be decidedly more positive. After the England international swept in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim his side's advantage, the boss ripped off his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. The team continued to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their opening six games, are somehow only three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Serious Title Contenders?

That’s a rather hard question to address. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Moreover, they've rarely been completely commanding during this run, while the positive results have stacked up.

As per statistical analysis, in only two games has the side registered an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a side who have put together ten consecutive victories, Villa seem curiously susceptible – however at the moment the fine lines are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The current approach appears to be to trade blows with the opposition and then rely on Rogers to rescue them with two crisp finishes. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and it happened when facing United.

Rogers' first goal originated from a brilliant finish, arced right inside the post from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

“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?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, the opposition managed a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all but one of those matches.

A statistical correction might be the biggest rival they must confront in the near future. The forward, almost certainly, cannot maintain blasting the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Could it be an alternative path where, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the player he showed in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky backline.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt two months ago, no one envisioned the midfielder now would be at the forefront of a title charge and appearing as a vital player for the national team.

The current run should be enjoyed exactly since it appears so improbable. When Rogers faced the North End at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.