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It was 60 days prior that the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery admonished him over not reading a penetrating pass. Back then, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his performances were an indicator or the source for the side's broader struggles.

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

On Sunday, however, the manager's outburst was much more joyous. When the England international swept in his second strike to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician tore off his coat, opened his arms and bellowed. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row and despite not winning their opening six fixtures, now sit just three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?

It remains a particularly tough query to resolve. The historical record, the perceived status of the club, suggests not. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant this season, while the positive results have piled up.

According to statistical analysis, twice all season has the team registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a team who have put together ten consecutive victories, the Villans seem curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the margins are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with an opponent before hoping their talisman to rescue them with two clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and again when facing United.

His opener stemmed from a superb shot, curled just inside the post from a wide position. For his second was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one 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.”

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, Manchester United had more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those games.

A reversion to average might be the biggest rival the club will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, surely, cannot maintain blasting the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is an alternative path where, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures might still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker might resume finding the net regularly.
• The winger could transform into the player he was during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, this is a surprise. Few believed Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And certainly back in October, few could imagine Rogers now would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit and appearing as an essential Three Lions star.

The current run is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As the match-winner stood in front of the home supporters when the game ended conducting the cheers, it was clear to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.