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It was eight weeks in the past when the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while Unai Emery berated him for not reading a penetrating pass. During that period, as the club went six without a win, the question was if his displays were an indicator or the reason for the team's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, however, the touchline reaction proved to be much more joyous. As Rogers swept in his second strike to reclaim Villa's lead, Emery discarded his winter coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club continued to a 10th successive win and after failing to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, find themselves just three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Title Contenders?

It remains a particularly tough proposition to answer. Past precedent, the traditional standing of Villa, suggests not. Furthermore, they've rarely been completely commanding this season, despite the fact the positive results have accumulated.

Per statistical analysis, twice all season have Villa registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a team who have just won ten consecutive victories, Villa seem curiously susceptible – yet currently the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent before hoping their talisman to save the day with some precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and again versus the Red Devils.

The initial strike stemmed from a superb shot, arced just inside the post from the corner of the box. For his second was essentially a slight scruffier version of his first as he seized 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?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opponents registered more efforts and more direct attempts. They have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those matches.

A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge Villa will encounter in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot maintain blasting his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Could it be another reality whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward may begin to scoring again.
• The attacking talent might become the player he showed in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are due to come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And most definitely two months ago, few could imagine the young forward as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit while looking like an essential England player.

This remarkable period must be cherished for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. As Rogers stood in front of the home supporters when the game ended orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These runs of form are rare in football and must be appreciated.