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Just two months in the past when the Villa attacker was standing on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as Unai Emery scolded him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. At that point, with the team went six without a win, it wasn't clear whether his displays were an indicator or the source of the side's wider issues.

“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 much more joyous. As the in-form star curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. The team continued to a 10th successive win , having failed to win their opening six matches, are somehow a mere three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Challengers?

That’s a particularly tough query to answer. The historical record, the perceived status of this institution, argues against it. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, even as the positive results have accumulated.

According to statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the side posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a side who have strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa seem weirdly vulnerable – however currently the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy looks like to exchange chances with the opposition before hoping their talisman to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. This occurred at Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again when facing the Red Devils.

The initial strike originated from a brilliant finish, bent just inside the goal frame from a wide position. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slight scruffier version 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opponents managed more efforts and more direct attempts. Villa have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction might be the most significant challenge Villa must confront as the season progresses. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot keep on drilling the football into the top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Could it be an alternative path where, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs might still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker could start scoring again.
• The winger could transform into the force he was in Germany.
• The defensive duo will eventually return from injury, strengthening a periodically leaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the potential for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, no one envisioned Rogers by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.

This remarkable period is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the hero positioned himself before the North End when the game ended leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.