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Just two months ago that the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery berated him over not reading a pass in behind. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if his performances were a symptom or a cause for the side'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 touchline reaction was entirely much more joyous. When Rogers swept in his second strike to restore the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician discarded his winter coat, opened his arms and roared. Villa were on their way to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win their opening six fixtures, are somehow just three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Title Contenders?

This is a rather hard question to resolve. The historical record, a general sense of Villa, argues against it. Furthermore, they've rarely been entirely convincing this season, even as the positive results have piled up.

According to Opta, in only two games has the team had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a team which has strung together 10 in a row, the Villans look strangely fragile – but currently the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy looks like to exchange chances with an opponent and then rely on their star man to rescue them with two precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and it happened against United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a superb shot, bent just inside the upright from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he seized 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opposition registered more efforts and more direct attempts. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those matches.

A reversion to average may well be the most significant challenge Villa will encounter as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on drilling the ball past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists another reality in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures may yet return to peak condition.

• The main striker could start scoring again.
• The attacking talent might become the performer he showed in Germany.
• The defensive duo are set to return from injury, bolstering a periodically leaky backline.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought the midfielder now would be leading a title charge and appearing as a crucial Three Lions star.

The current run should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. When the match-winner faced the home supporters when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These spells are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.