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A mere two months ago that the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery berated him for not reading a through-ball. Back then, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if Rogers' form were an indicator or the source of the side's wider issues.

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

This weekend, however, the touchline reaction was entirely far more favourable. After the England international drilled in his second strike to restore the lead for Villa, the boss ripped off his coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team continued to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their opening six fixtures, are somehow only three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Challengers?

That’s a rather hard proposition to address. Past precedent, the traditional standing of this institution, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant in many games, even as the positive results have piled up.

According to Opta, on just two occasions have Villa posted an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a team which has strung together 10 in a row, Villa seem weirdly vulnerable – yet currently the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent before hoping their star man to bail them out with some precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it transpired in London, and once more versus the Red Devils.

The initial strike originated from an exquisite effort, bent precisely inside the upright from a wide position. For his second proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first 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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opponents had a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. They have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all except one of those matches.

A statistical correction might be the greatest opponent the club must confront over the coming weeks. Their key man, in all likelihood, will not continue to blasting the ball into the top corner week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists an alternative path in which, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures might still find their top level.

• The main striker might resume finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the performer he was in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually regain fitness, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable backline.

This could contain the possibility of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Villa would sit third at Christmas. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward now would be spearheading a title charge while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed exactly since it appears so improbable. As Rogers stood in front of the North End when the game ended conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells do not happen often and should be relished.