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Just eight weeks in the past that the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused as Unai Emery berated him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were an indicator or a cause for the team's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, however, the manager's outburst was entirely decidedly more positive. As Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to reclaim the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician tore off his jacket, spread his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club marched on to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win their initial half-dozen games, find themselves just three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Challengers?

This is a rather hard question to address. Past precedent, the traditional standing of Villa, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the wins have accumulated.

Per Opta, in only two games has the side registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a club which has strung together ten consecutive victories, the Villans look weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic seems to be to trade blows with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to rescue them with a couple of crisp finishes. This occurred away to Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again when facing United.

His opener originated from a superb shot, arced right inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. For his second proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he seized 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?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opponents registered more shots and more shots on target. They have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those fixtures.

A reversion to average might be the biggest rival Villa will encounter in the near future. Rogers, surely, cannot keep on thrashing the ball into the top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is a different scenario whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players might still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward could start finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the player he resembled in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are due to regain fitness, strengthening a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely earlier this season, no one envisioned the midfielder now would be at the forefront of a title charge while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.

The current run is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. When the hero stood in front of the home supporters when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.