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It was two months prior when the young forward stood on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery berated him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. During that period, with the team went six without a win, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were an indicator or the source for Villa's wider issues.

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

This weekend, though, the sideline response proved to be far more favourable. As the in-form star drilled in his second strike to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his winter coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The team marched on to a 10th successive win and having failed to win their initial half-dozen games, now sit just three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Hopefuls?

That’s an exceptionally difficult question to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been wholly dominant during this run, while the positive results have stacked up.

As per Opta, twice all season has the team registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a side who have just won a ten-match winning streak, they appear strangely fragile – but right now the fine lines are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for their star man to save the day with a couple of crisp finishes. This was the case against Leeds, it happened in London, and once more against United.

The initial strike stemmed from a brilliant finish, bent right inside the upright from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal was essentially a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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?

Logic says not. Against United, the opposition registered more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those games.

A reversion to average might be the greatest opponent the club will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, in all likelihood, will not continue to drilling the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is an alternative path whereby, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures might still find their top level.

• The main striker could start adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent might become the force he was in Germany.
• The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, fortifying a sometimes shaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a title challenge, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely earlier this season, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be spearheading a title charge and appearing as a crucial England player.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed precisely because it seems so surreal. As the hero faced the Villa faithful after the match leading the celebrations, it was clear to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and should be relished.