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A mere two months prior when the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery scolded him for missing a penetrating pass. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, the question was if Rogers' form were a sign or the source for the side's broader struggles.

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

In the latest match, however, the manager's outburst was entirely much more joyous. When the in-form star swept in his second to reclaim Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, opened his arms and roared. The Birmingham club continued to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning their opening six games, are somehow only three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Hopefuls?

It remains a rather hard proposition to answer. History, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Additionally, their performances haven't been wholly dominant during this run, while the victories have stacked up.

As per statistical analysis, in only two games has the side had an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a club which has strung together ten consecutive victories, they seem curiously susceptible – but at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for Rogers to save the day with two crisp finishes. This was the case at Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and once more against United.

His opener stemmed from a brilliant finish, bent just inside the upright from a wide position. For his second proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first as he seized 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opponents registered more shots and more direct attempts. The team has won each of their last eight by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those matches.

Regression to the mean may well be the biggest rival the club will encounter in the near future. The forward, surely, cannot keep on drilling the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Could it be an alternative path whereby, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players might still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, fortifying a sometimes shaky backline.

Maybe within that lies the possibility of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would be third at Christmas. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine Rogers as the year closed would be at the forefront of a title charge while establishing himself as a vital Three Lions star.

This winning streak is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. As the hero faced the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, it was clear to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are rare in football and should be relished.