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It was two months ago when the young forward stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery scolded him over missing a pass in behind. At that point, as the club failed to win in six, doubts remained if his performances were a sign or a cause for the team'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, though, the sideline response was much more joyous. When the in-form star curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore his side's advantage, Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team continued to a 10th successive win and despite not winning their initial half-dozen matches, now sit just three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Hopefuls?

That’s an exceptionally difficult query to answer. The historical record, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the positive results have accumulated.

As per Opta, in only two games has the team registered an xG significantly higher than the other team. For a side who have strung together 10 in a row, Villa seem weirdly vulnerable – however at the moment the margins are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic appears to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and then rely on Rogers to save the day with two clinical strikes. This was the case at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and once more when facing United.

The initial strike originated from a brilliant finish, arced right inside the upright from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of his first as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opposition managed more shots and more direct attempts. They have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those matches.

Regression to the mean could be the most significant challenge Villa have to face in the near future. Their key man, surely, cannot keep on thrashing the ball into the top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is an alternative path whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures may yet return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins could start adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent might become the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, strengthening a periodically leaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine the midfielder by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge while looking like a crucial England player.

The current run is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, it was clear to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. Such periods are rare in football and must be appreciated.