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It was two months in the past when the Villa attacker was standing on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as Unai Emery berated him for not reading a pass in behind. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if his performances were an indicator or the reason of the side's wider issues.

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

In the latest match, however, the sideline response proved to be much more joyous. As Rogers swept in his second strike to reclaim the lead for Villa, the boss ripped off his jacket, spread his arms and bellowed. The team were on their way to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their initial half-dozen games, are somehow a mere three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Title Contenders?

This is a particularly tough query to address. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, argues against it. Moreover, their performances haven't been entirely convincing during this run, while the positive results have accumulated.

Per the data, twice all season have Villa had an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a side who have strung together 10 in a row, they appear curiously susceptible – but right now the margins are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with rivals before hoping Rogers to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and again versus the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal originated from a superb shot, arced just inside the post from a wide position. For his second acted as a slight scruffier version of his first capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

“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?

Logic says not. Against United, the opposition had a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean might be the most significant challenge they have to face over the coming weeks. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot keep on thrashing the ball past despairing goalkeepers forever.

A Case for Belief

Could it be an alternative path in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures could still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward might resume adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent might become the player he resembled during his peak.
• The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Maybe within that lies the potential for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable the team would be in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be spearheading a title charge while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.

This winning streak must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. When the hero faced the Villa faithful after the match conducting the cheers, he appeared to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.