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It was two months ago when the Villa attacker stood on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery admonished him for missing a pass in behind. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if his performances were a symptom or a cause for the team's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the manager's outburst was far more favourable. After the in-form star curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician ripped off his winter coat, opened his arms and bellowed. Villa continued to ten wins in a row , having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, find themselves only three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Serious Title Contenders?

It remains a rather hard proposition to answer. History, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing this season, while the victories have piled up.

Per Opta, on just two occasions has the side registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a side which has just won 10 in a row, the Villans appear weirdly vulnerable – but at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy looks like to engage in a shootout with rivals and then rely on Rogers to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. It happened away to Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and again against United.

Rogers' first goal originated from an exquisite effort, arced just inside the goal frame from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a slight scruffier version of the opener capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Logic says not. Against United, Manchester United registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those games.

A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent the club have to face in the near future. Rogers, surely, cannot maintain blasting the football into the top corner forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is an alternative path where, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players might still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the performer he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds for a sustained push, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on one man.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable the team would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine Rogers as the year closed would be spearheading a championship pursuit while looking like a vital Three Lions star.

This remarkable period is to be savoured precisely because it seems so surreal. As Rogers faced the Villa faithful after the match conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.