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A mere eight weeks ago that the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as Unai Emery admonished him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were an indicator or a cause for the team's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, in contrast, the touchline reaction was far more favourable. As the England international swept in his second to restore the lead for Villa, the boss discarded his jacket, spread his arms and bellowed. The team marched on to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win any of their first six matches, find themselves only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Challengers?

That’s an exceptionally difficult query to address. Past precedent, the traditional standing of the club, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing during this run, while the victories have stacked up.

Per statistical analysis, twice all season has the side registered an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a club who have strung together ten consecutive victories, they appear curiously susceptible – however currently the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

The current approach seems to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition before hoping Rogers to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. This occurred away to Leeds, it occurred in London, and it happened against Manchester United.

His opener originated from a brilliant finish, arced just inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first 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. In the recent win, Manchester United registered more efforts and more shots on target. The team has secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those games.

A reversion to average might be the greatest opponent the club have to face as the season progresses. Rogers, in all likelihood, will not continue to blasting the football past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Could it be a different scenario in which, rather than luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins could start finding the net regularly.
• The winger might become the player he resembled during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to regain fitness, strengthening a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a genuine bid, but they surely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

However, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely two months ago, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be spearheading a title charge and appearing as a crucial player for the national team.

The current run should be enjoyed exactly since it appears so improbable. When the match-winner positioned himself before the Villa faithful when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.