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Just 60 days in the past when the young forward stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as Unai Emery berated him over not reading a pass in behind. At that point, with the team went six without a win, it wasn't clear if his displays were a symptom or the source of Villa's more general malaise.

“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 was far more favourable. As the in-form star swept in his second to restore Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his coat, spread his arms and roared. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row , having failed to win any of their first six matches, are somehow only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Title Contenders?

It remains a rather hard query to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Additionally, their performances haven't been completely commanding this season, even as the victories have stacked up.

According to statistical analysis, twice all season has the side posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a side which has just won a ten-match winning streak, the Villans appear strangely fragile – yet right now the margins are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach appears to be to engage in a shootout with rivals before hoping Rogers to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. This was the case against Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened versus the Red Devils.

The initial strike came from a superb shot, bent just inside the post from a wide position. For his second acted as a slight scruffier version of the opener 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.”

Can It Last?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opposition had more efforts and more direct attempts. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all but one of those fixtures.

A reversion to average might be the greatest opponent they have to face as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, cannot maintain blasting his shots into the top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be an alternative path 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 may begin to scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the force he resembled in Germany.
• The defensive duo are set to regain fitness, fortifying a sometimes shaky backline.

Maybe within that lies the potential of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Aston Villa would be third at Christmas. And certainly two months ago, nobody thought Rogers now would be leading a title charge while looking like an essential Three Lions star.

This remarkable period is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner stood in front of the home supporters after the match orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These spells are rare in football and should be relished.