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Just eight weeks ago that the Villa attacker stood on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager berated him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. Back then, as Villa failed to win in six, the question was whether his performances were a sign or the source for the side's more general malaise.

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

In the latest match, however, the touchline reaction proved to be decidedly more positive. As Rogers drilled in his second to restore the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician tore off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The Birmingham club marched on to a tenth straight victory and despite not winning their initial half-dozen games, are somehow just three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Title Contenders?

That’s a rather hard query to address. Past precedent, the perceived status of the club, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been completely commanding this season, while the wins have accumulated.

Per Opta, twice all season has the side registered an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a club who have strung together a ten-match winning streak, Villa appear curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach seems to be to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on Rogers to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again against United.

His opener came from an exquisite effort, curled precisely inside the post from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced 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?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, Manchester United registered more efforts and more shots on target. The team has secured their last eight victories by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those games.

Regression to the mean may well be the greatest opponent the club will encounter in the near future. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists another reality where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.

• The main striker might resume finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the performer he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are due to return from injury, fortifying a sometimes shaky backline.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought the team would be in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, few could imagine the midfielder by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit and appearing as a crucial Three Lions star.

The current run must be cherished precisely because it seems so surreal. When the hero stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These spells are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.