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It was 60 days ago that the Villa attacker stood on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery scolded him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear whether his displays were a symptom or a cause of the team's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, however, the manager's outburst was entirely much more joyous. After the England international swept in his second to reclaim the lead for Villa, Emery discarded his jacket, spread his arms and bellowed. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row and after failing to win any of their first six fixtures, find themselves a mere three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Title Contenders?

That’s an exceptionally difficult proposition to answer. Past precedent, the perceived status of the club, argues against it. Furthermore, they have not been completely commanding during this run, even as the positive results have accumulated.

Per statistical analysis, twice all season has the team registered an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a club that have strung together 10 in a row, the Villans appear weirdly vulnerable – but right now the margins are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with two clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and again against the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, curled just inside the upright from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he pounced 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?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opposition had more shots and more shots on target. Villa have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all but one of those matches.

A statistical correction might be the greatest opponent they must confront as the season progresses. The forward, surely, cannot keep on thrashing the football into the net's top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is another reality in which, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players could still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The winger might become the performer he resembled during his peak.
• The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable backline.

This could contain the possibility of a title challenge, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

However, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely earlier this season, no one envisioned Rogers now would be leading a hunt for the title while looking like a vital Three Lions star.

This winning streak must be cherished exactly since it appears so improbable. When the hero positioned himself before the North End when the game ended conducting the cheers, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.