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Just eight weeks prior when the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery berated him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. At that point, as the club went six without a win, the question was if his displays were a sign or a cause of Villa's wider issues.

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

In the latest match, in contrast, the sideline response was far more favourable. After the in-form star swept in his second strike to reinstate Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, opened his arms and bellowed. Villa were on their way to a 10th successive win and having failed to win any of their first six matches, now sit only three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?

That’s a rather hard proposition to answer. History, a general sense of the club, suggests not. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant this season, despite the fact the positive results have accumulated.

Per Opta, in only two games has the side had an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a club that have strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa appear curiously susceptible – but at the moment the margins are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy looks like to engage in a shootout with an opponent and then rely on Rogers to save the day with some crisp finishes. This occurred away to Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and once more when facing United.

His opener originated from a superb shot, bent right inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. For his second acted as a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he pounced 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?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opposition registered a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those games.

Regression to the mean might be the greatest opponent the club will encounter as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on thrashing his shots into the top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be another reality whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the force he showed during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs are due to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a sometimes shaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on one man.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought the team would be third at Christmas. And without a doubt back in October, few could imagine Rogers now would be leading a title charge and appearing as an essential player for the national team.

This winning streak must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. As the hero faced the home supporters after the match orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.