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It was 60 days prior when the Villa attacker stood on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery admonished him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. Back then, as the club endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if his performances were an indicator or a cause of Villa's more general malaise.

“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”

This weekend, though, the touchline reaction proved to be far more favourable. When the in-form star drilled in his second to restore Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team marched on to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win their opening six matches, find themselves just three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Challengers?

This is an exceptionally difficult query to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Additionally, their performances haven't been wholly dominant this season, while the positive results have piled up.

According to the data, on just two occasions have Villa had an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a club which has just won 10 in a row, the Villans look weirdly vulnerable – yet currently the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach looks like to exchange chances with an opponent and wait for their star man to save the day with a couple of crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and it happened against United.

The initial strike stemmed from an exquisite effort, curled precisely inside the post from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal acted as a slight scruffier version of the opener as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

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

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opponents managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those fixtures.

A reversion to average may well be the greatest opponent they have to face in the near future. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to blasting the football past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists another reality whereby, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures might still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward could start scoring again.
• The winger might become the player he was during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to regain fitness, fortifying a sometimes shaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine the young forward as the year closed would be spearheading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a crucial Three Lions star.

This remarkable period must be cherished exactly since it feels so unlikely. When Rogers stood in front of the home supporters when the game ended leading the celebrations, he appeared to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and must be appreciated.