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It was two months ago when the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery scolded him for not reading a penetrating pass. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, the question was whether his performances were a sign or a cause of the team's more general malaise.

“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 decidedly more positive. After the in-form star curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore the lead for Villa, the boss discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The Birmingham club continued to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win their opening six games, find themselves a mere three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Title Contenders?

This is a rather hard question to answer. Past precedent, the traditional standing of Villa, argues against it. Furthermore, their performances haven't been wholly dominant this season, while the wins have piled up.

As per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the side registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a club which has strung together 10 in a row, Villa look strangely fragile – but currently the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with an opponent before hoping their star man to rescue them with two clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and again against United.

Rogers' first goal came from a brilliant finish, bent precisely inside the upright from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Perhaps Rogers’ right foot is becoming like Arjen Robben’s left: just because you know he’s going to whip the ball into the top corner doesn’t mean you can stop him.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opposition had a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. They have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.

A reversion to average may well be the most significant challenge the club have to face in the near future. Rogers, surely, cannot keep on blasting the football into the net's top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is an alternative path where, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures could still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins might resume scoring again.
• The winger could transform into the force he showed in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually regain fitness, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a genuine bid, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable the team would occupy third at Christmas. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought Rogers as the year closed would be spearheading a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.

This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the match-winner faced the Villa faithful when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and should be relished.