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Just eight weeks in the past that the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery scolded him for missing a pass in behind. Back then, as Villa failed to win in six, the question was whether his displays were a sign or the reason for the side'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 touchline reaction was much more joyous. As the in-form star curled home his second strike to restore the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician ripped off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The team marched on to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, find themselves a mere three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Serious Title Contenders?

That’s a particularly tough query to answer. History, the perceived status of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they've rarely been completely commanding this season, despite the fact the positive results have stacked up.

As per Opta, on just two occasions has the team registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a team that have just won a ten-match winning streak, the Villans seem curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy seems to be to trade blows with an opponent and then rely on their talisman to rescue them with two clinical strikes. This occurred against Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened when facing United.

The initial strike originated from an exquisite effort, curled precisely inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first 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?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, Manchester United registered more shots and more direct attempts. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all except one of those matches.

Regression to the mean may well be the biggest rival the club must confront in the near future. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot keep on blasting his shots past despairing goalkeepers forever.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.

• The main striker might resume scoring again.
• The winger might become the force he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable the team would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, no one envisioned the young forward by the end of the year would be spearheading a title charge while looking like an essential Three Lions star.

The current run should be enjoyed precisely because it appears so improbable. When the match-winner faced the home supporters at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and must be appreciated.