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A mere two months ago when the Villa attacker was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as Unai Emery berated him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. During that period, as Villa went six without a win, doubts remained whether his performances were an indicator or the source for the side's more general malaise.

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

On Sunday, though, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. As the in-form star swept in his second to reclaim the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician ripped off his jacket, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The team marched on to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win any of their first six fixtures, are somehow only three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Title Contenders?

This is a rather hard question to address. History, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Furthermore, they have not been entirely convincing during this run, while the victories have stacked up.

As per the data, in only two games has the side had an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a side who have just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa appear weirdly vulnerable – however at the moment the margins are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy looks like to trade blows with an opponent before hoping their talisman to bail them out with two precise efforts. This was the case away to Leeds, it happened in London, and once more versus United.

The initial strike stemmed from a superb shot, curled right inside the upright from a wide position. For his second was essentially a slight scruffier version of the opener 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. In the recent win, the opponents registered a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those matches.

A statistical correction might be the biggest rival the club have to face in the near future. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot keep on drilling the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Could it be an alternative path where, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures could still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins could start adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent might become the player he resembled in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a periodically leaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the potential of a genuine bid, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

But then, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought the team would sit in the top three for the holidays. And certainly two months ago, nobody thought the midfielder as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while looking like an essential Three Lions star.

This winning streak should be enjoyed exactly since it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner faced the home supporters at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are rare in football and should be relished.