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It was 60 days prior that the young forward was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery scolded him for not reading a through-ball. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether Rogers' form were a sign or the reason 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 touchline reaction proved to be decidedly more positive. After Rogers curled home his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, the boss tore off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The team were on their way to a 10th successive win , despite not winning any of their first six fixtures, find themselves only three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Title Contenders?

This is a rather hard query to answer. The historical record, the traditional standing of the club, argues against it. Furthermore, they have not been entirely convincing during this run, while the victories have accumulated.

As per statistical analysis, twice all season has the team had an xG significantly higher than the other team. For a club who have just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa seem strangely fragile – however at the moment the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition before hoping their star man to save the day with a couple of precise efforts. This was the case against Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and it happened against United.

His opener came from a brilliant finish, arced right inside the post from a wide position. For his second proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

“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?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opponents had a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. The team has won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all but one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean could be the biggest rival Villa will encounter over the coming weeks. Rogers, surely, cannot maintain drilling his shots into the net's top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is another reality in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs may yet rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward could start finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho might become the player he was during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs are due to come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a title challenge, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, no one envisioned Rogers as the year closed would be leading a title charge while looking like an essential player for the national team.

This winning streak should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. When the match-winner faced the Villa faithful after the match orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.