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Just 60 days in the past when the young forward stood on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as Unai Emery admonished him for not reading a through-ball. During that period, with the team went six without a win, it wasn't clear whether his displays were an indicator or a cause for the team's wider issues.

“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”

This weekend, in contrast, the manager's outburst proved to be decidedly more positive. After Rogers drilled in his second strike to reinstate Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. The team were on their way to ten wins in a row and despite not winning their initial half-dozen matches, are somehow a mere three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?

This is a rather hard proposition to address. The historical record, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant this season, even as the victories have accumulated.

According to statistical analysis, in only two games has the side registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a side who have just won ten consecutive victories, the Villans look strangely fragile – but right now the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy looks like to trade blows with the opposition before hoping their talisman to save the day with some clinical strikes. This was the case at Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened against the Red Devils.

The initial strike originated from a superb shot, arced just inside the post from a wide position. For his second was essentially a slight scruffier version of goal number one 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, the opponents managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all but one of those games.

A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge Villa will encounter in the near future. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot keep on thrashing the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is another reality whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs may yet rediscover their best form.

• The main striker could start scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho might become the performer he was during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs are set to regain fitness, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.

This could contain the possibility of a title challenge, but they surely cannot keep relying on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable the team would sit third at Christmas. And without a doubt two months ago, no one envisioned the midfielder now would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while looking like a vital Three Lions star.

This remarkable period must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. As the hero positioned himself before the North End at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and must be appreciated.