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It was eight weeks prior that the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as Unai Emery berated him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. During that period, as the club endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were a sign or the reason of the team'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 decidedly more positive. When the England international curled home his second strike to reclaim his side's advantage, Emery tore off his coat, spread his arms and roared. Villa marched on to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their opening six fixtures, are somehow only three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Challengers?

That’s an exceptionally difficult query to address. History, the perceived status of this institution, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant this season, even as the positive results have stacked up.

According to Opta, in only two games have Villa posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a side which has put together ten consecutive victories, the Villans seem strangely fragile – however right now the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic seems to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition before hoping their star man to save the day with a couple of clinical strikes. This was the case against Leeds, it happened in London, and again versus the Red Devils.

His opener originated from a brilliant finish, bent just inside the post from a wide position. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of the opener 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.”

Can It Last?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opposition had more efforts and more direct attempts. The team has won each of their last eight by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those fixtures.

A reversion to average may well be the greatest opponent the club will encounter over the coming weeks. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot maintain thrashing the football past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is an alternative path where, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players could still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward could start finding the net regularly.
• The winger could transform into the player he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are due to return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Maybe within that lies the potential of a genuine bid, but they surely cannot keep relying on one man.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this was unforeseen. Few believed Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And most definitely two months ago, no one envisioned Rogers by the end of the year would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as an essential Three Lions star.

This winning streak should be enjoyed exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner stood in front of the North End at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.