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A mere eight weeks prior that the young forward found himself on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while Unai Emery scolded him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. Back then, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether Rogers' form were an indicator or the reason of the team's wider issues.

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

This weekend, however, the manager's outburst was entirely decidedly more positive. After Rogers swept in his second strike to restore his side's advantage, the boss tore off his coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The team were on their way to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, are somehow only three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Serious Title Contenders?

This is a rather hard question to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they have not been completely commanding this season, even as the wins have piled up.

According to the data, in only two games have Villa registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a club which has just won a ten-match winning streak, the Villans look weirdly vulnerable – yet right now the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The current approach looks like to trade blows with an opponent and wait for Rogers to bail them out with some crisp finishes. This was the case at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and once more against the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal came from an exquisite effort, bent just inside the upright from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of the opener as he seized 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?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opposition had a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. The team has secured their last eight victories by a single goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those fixtures.

A statistical correction might be the greatest opponent Villa will encounter over the coming weeks. The forward, surely, will not continue to thrashing his shots past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is an alternative path in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players might still find their top level.

• The centre-forward may begin to scoring again.
• The winger could transform into the player he was during his peak.
• The defensive duo are set to return from injury, fortifying a sometimes shaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

But then, this was unforeseen. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title and appearing as an essential England player.

This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. As the hero faced the North End at the final whistle leading the celebrations, it was clear to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.