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A mere two months in the past when the young forward stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused as the Villa manager berated him over not reading a through-ball. Back then, as the club failed to win in six, the question was whether his performances were an indicator or the source 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.”

This weekend, however, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. After the England international curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore the lead for Villa, the boss tore off his winter coat, opened his arms and roared. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row and after failing to win their opening six fixtures, find themselves just three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?

It remains a rather hard question to address. Past precedent, the traditional standing of this institution, argues against it. Additionally, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, even as the positive results have stacked up.

According to Opta, twice all season has the side had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a club who have put together ten consecutive victories, the Villans look weirdly vulnerable – but currently the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic appears to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and wait for Rogers to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. This occurred at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and once more when facing the Red Devils.

The initial strike stemmed from a brilliant finish, curled precisely inside the upright from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of the opener as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Perhaps Rogers’ right foot is becoming like Arjen Robben’s left: just because you know he’s going to whip the ball into the top corner doesn’t mean you can stop him.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opponents registered more efforts and more shots on target. The team has won each of their last eight by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those games.

A reversion to average may well be the greatest opponent they have to face as the season progresses. The forward, in all likelihood, will not continue to blasting the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists another reality where, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players could still find their top level.

• The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho might become the player he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually come back from the treatment room, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

But then, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would sit third at Christmas. And most definitely back in October, nobody thought Rogers as the year closed would be leading a hunt for the title while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.

This winning streak should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. When the hero faced the North End when the game ended orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.