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A mere two months ago that the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while Unai Emery berated him over not reading a through-ball. Back then, as the club failed to win in six, doubts remained if Rogers' form were an indicator or the source of Villa's wider issues.

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

This weekend, though, the touchline reaction was far more favourable. After Rogers swept in his second strike to reinstate Villa's lead, Emery discarded his winter coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The team marched on to a 10th successive win and having failed to win any of their first six matches, find themselves just three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Hopefuls?

That’s an exceptionally difficult question to address. History, a general sense of the club, suggests not. Additionally, their performances haven't been completely commanding during this run, even as the victories have stacked up.

Per the data, twice all season has the team posted an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a team that have just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa appear weirdly vulnerable – however currently the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach seems to be to trade blows with the opposition and then rely on their star man to save the day with some precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and again when facing Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, arced precisely inside the goal frame from a wide position. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.

“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?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, Manchester United had more efforts and more shots on target. They have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those matches.

A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent the club will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot keep on drilling the football into the top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is an alternative path whereby, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures could still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins might resume finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the performer he was during his peak.
• The defensive duo are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defence.

This could contain the possibility for a sustained push, but they surely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, no one envisioned the young forward now would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a vital England player.

This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. As Rogers positioned himself before the North End after the match leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are rare in football and must be appreciated.