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A mere eight weeks prior when the young forward stood on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as Unai Emery scolded him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. At that point, as the club failed to win in six, doubts remained if his performances were an indicator or the reason of Villa's more general malaise.

“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”

On Sunday, however, the manager's outburst proved to be much more joyous. When the in-form star curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate his side's advantage, Emery ripped off his coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The team continued to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win their initial half-dozen games, now sit just three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Challengers?

That’s an exceptionally difficult query to address. The historical record, the perceived status of the club, argues against it. Furthermore, their performances haven't been wholly dominant during this run, while the positive results have piled up.

Per the data, twice all season has the side posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a team who have put together 10 in a row, they look strangely fragile – but at the moment the margins are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

The current approach seems to be to trade blows with rivals and wait for Rogers to bail them out with two precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and it happened versus Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal originated from a superb shot, arced precisely inside the post from the edge of the area. For his second was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

“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?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, Manchester United registered more shots and more efforts on goal. They have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all except one of those games.

A statistical correction might be the most significant challenge the club must confront as the season progresses. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot keep on blasting the ball past despairing goalkeepers forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists a different scenario whereby, rather than luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet rediscover their best form.

• The main striker could start adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent could transform into the player he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually return from injury, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a genuine bid, but they surely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely earlier this season, no one envisioned Rogers as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit and appearing as a vital England player.

This winning streak must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. When the match-winner faced the home supporters at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.