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Just eight weeks in the past that the young forward found himself on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery admonished him over missing a penetrating pass. Back then, as the club endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were a sign or a cause for 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 sideline response proved to be much more joyous. After the in-form star drilled in his second strike to reclaim Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his winter coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club marched on to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win any of their first six games, now sit a mere three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Challengers?

It remains an exceptionally difficult query to address. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Furthermore, they've rarely been entirely convincing in many games, despite the fact the wins have stacked up.

According to Opta, in only two games have Villa registered an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a side who have strung together a ten-match winning streak, Villa seem strangely fragile – but at the moment the margins are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition and wait for their star man to bail them out with two crisp finishes. This occurred at Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and once more versus United.

The initial strike originated from an exquisite effort, arced right inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. For his second proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opponents managed more efforts and more direct attempts. They have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all except one of those matches.

A reversion to average might be the biggest rival the club must confront over the coming weeks. Rogers, almost certainly, will not continue to blasting his shots into the net's top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists another reality where, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs might still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins could start adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho might become the force he resembled during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And certainly two months ago, nobody thought Rogers as the year closed would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as an essential England player.

The current run is to be savoured for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As Rogers positioned himself before the North End when the game ended orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are rare in football and should be relished.