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Just two months in the past when the young forward was standing on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager scolded him over not reading a penetrating pass. At that point, as Villa failed to win in six, the question was whether Rogers' form were a sign or a cause of 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, in contrast, the sideline response was entirely much more joyous. After the England international swept in his second to restore the lead for Villa, Emery discarded his jacket, spread his arms and roared. The team continued to a 10th successive win and despite not winning their opening six fixtures, find themselves just three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Title Contenders?

This is an exceptionally difficult proposition to address. History, the perceived status of Villa, argues against it. Additionally, they've rarely been completely commanding this season, while the victories have stacked up.

Per Opta, twice all season has the side had an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a club that have put together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans seem weirdly vulnerable – however at the moment the margins are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy seems to be to trade blows with rivals before hoping their talisman to bail them out with two clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and it happened when facing United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from an exquisite effort, bent right inside the post from the edge of the area. For his second was essentially a slight scruffier version of his first as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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. In the recent win, the opposition had more shots and more efforts on goal. Villa have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all except one of those games.

Regression to the mean could be the biggest rival they must confront over the coming weeks. The forward, surely, will not continue to thrashing his shots into the top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is another reality whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.

• The main striker could start finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent could transform into the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this was unforeseen. Few believed Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the midfielder by the end of the year would be leading a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.

This remarkable period must be cherished exactly since it appears so improbable. When Rogers stood in front of the Villa faithful at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he appeared to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.