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A mere 60 days ago when the young forward found himself on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery berated him for missing a penetrating pass. Back then, as the club endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his performances were a sign or the source for the team's wider issues.

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

This weekend, though, the sideline response was far more favourable. When the in-form star curled home his second to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician ripped off his winter coat, spread his arms and bellowed. The team marched on to a 10th successive win , after failing to win their opening six matches, now sit only three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Title Contenders?

It remains an exceptionally difficult question to answer. History, the perceived status of Villa, indicates otherwise. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the victories have piled up.

Per the data, in only two games has the side posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a team that have just won 10 in a row, they seem weirdly vulnerable – but right now the fine lines are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with the opposition before hoping Rogers to rescue them with two crisp finishes. It happened away to Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and again versus United.

Rogers' first goal originated from an exquisite effort, curled just inside the post from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of his first capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opposition registered more efforts and more direct attempts. Villa have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those fixtures.

A reversion to average could be the most significant challenge the club must confront as the season progresses. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is an alternative path in which, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho might become the player he was in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually regain fitness, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a genuine bid, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

But then, nobody expected this. Nobody thought the team would sit in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, nobody thought the midfielder as the year closed would be spearheading a hunt for the title while looking like a vital England player.

The current run is to be savoured precisely because it appears so improbable. When the hero positioned himself before the home supporters after the match conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These runs of form are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.