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A mere two months prior that the Villa attacker found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while Unai Emery admonished him for missing a through-ball. At that point, as the club endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his performances were a sign or the source of the team's wider issues.

“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”

In the latest match, though, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. As Rogers drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim the lead for Villa, Emery tore off his jacket, spread his arms and roared. The team continued to ten wins in a row and after failing to win their opening six matches, find themselves just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Hopefuls?

This is a particularly tough query to resolve. The historical record, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been entirely convincing in many games, even as the positive results have stacked up.

As per the data, on just two occasions has the team registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a team which has just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – but currently the margins are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic seems to be to trade blows with an opponent before hoping their talisman to rescue them with a couple of crisp finishes. This occurred away to Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and again versus Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal came from a brilliant finish, bent just inside the upright from a wide position. For his second acted as a somewhat messier replica of the opener capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, Manchester United managed more efforts and more shots on target. They have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those matches.

A statistical correction could be the biggest rival they will encounter over the coming weeks. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain thrashing the ball into the top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is a different scenario whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker might resume scoring again.
• The winger could transform into the performer he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo will eventually return from injury, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

However, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt back in October, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be spearheading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a vital England player.

This remarkable period must be cherished exactly since it appears so improbable. As Rogers faced the home supporters after the match orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. Such periods are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.