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A mere two months prior when the Villa attacker stood on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as Unai Emery scolded him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, as the club went six without a win, it wasn't clear whether his performances were a sign or a cause of the team's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, though, the sideline response was entirely much more joyous. When Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to reclaim Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. The Birmingham club were on their way to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win their initial half-dozen games, are somehow only three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Title Contenders?

It remains an exceptionally difficult query to answer. History, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they've rarely been entirely convincing this season, despite the fact the positive results have stacked up.

According to the data, twice all season has the team registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a side that have just won ten consecutive victories, they look curiously susceptible – but at the moment the fine lines are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The current approach appears to be to trade blows with an opponent before hoping their talisman to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again versus the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal originated from a brilliant finish, curled right inside the goal frame from a wide position. The follow-up goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of his first 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?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opponents managed more efforts and more direct attempts. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all except one of those matches.

Regression to the mean could be the most significant challenge the club will encounter in the near future. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to thrashing the ball past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is an alternative path whereby, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs may yet return to peak condition.

• The main striker could start finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the force he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually regain fitness, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would sit third at Christmas. And certainly back in October, few could imagine the midfielder now would be spearheading a hunt for the title while looking like a vital player for the national team.

The current run should be enjoyed for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When Rogers faced the home supporters at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are rare in football and must be appreciated.