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It was two months ago when the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery scolded him over missing a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were a symptom or the reason of the team's wider issues.

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

In the latest match, however, the sideline response was far more favourable. After the in-form star curled home his second to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician ripped off his winter coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa were on their way to a 10th successive win , after failing to win their opening six fixtures, are somehow just three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Hopefuls?

It remains an exceptionally difficult question to resolve. Past precedent, the perceived status of the club, argues against it. Furthermore, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the positive results have stacked up.

Per the data, on just two occasions have Villa posted an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a club which has strung together a ten-match winning streak, they appear weirdly vulnerable – however right now the margins are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on their talisman to save the day with two clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and it happened versus United.

The initial strike stemmed from a brilliant finish, arced right inside the upright from a wide position. For his second acted as a somewhat messier replica of goal number one capitalizing 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.”

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, Manchester United managed more efforts and more direct attempts. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those games.

Regression to the mean may well be the most significant challenge the club have to face as the season progresses. Rogers, almost certainly, will not continue to blasting the ball into the top corner forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be another reality in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players could still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward might resume scoring again.
• The winger could transform into the force he was during his peak.
• The defensive duo are set to return from injury, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely can continue to depend solely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, few could imagine Rogers by the end of the year would be leading a title charge while looking like an essential Three Lions star.

This winning streak is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. When the hero stood in front of the North End at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. Such periods do not happen often and must be appreciated.