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A mere 60 days prior that the young forward was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while the Villa manager berated him for missing a through-ball. At that point, as the club failed to win in six, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were a symptom or the source of the side's broader struggles.

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

In the latest match, in contrast, the sideline response was decidedly more positive. After Rogers curled home his second to reinstate Villa's lead, the boss discarded his coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club continued to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning any of their first six matches, are somehow just three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Title Contenders?

It remains a particularly tough question to resolve. History, a general sense of Villa, argues against it. Furthermore, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, while the positive results have piled up.

Per the data, on just two occasions has the team registered an xG notably superior than the other team. For a side that have just won a ten-match winning streak, they look curiously susceptible – but currently the margins are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic looks like to exchange chances with the opposition and wait for their talisman to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened at Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more when facing Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from an exquisite effort, bent precisely inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

“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?

Logic says not. Against United, the opposition registered more shots and more direct attempts. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those fixtures.

A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival Villa will encounter over the coming weeks. The forward, surely, will not continue to drilling his shots past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is an alternative path whereby, rather than luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players may yet rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins might resume finding the net regularly.
• The winger might become the performer he showed in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are due to regain fitness, bolstering a sometimes shaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

But then, this was unforeseen. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be leading a hunt for the title and appearing as an essential Three Lions star.

The current run must be cherished for the very reason that it appears so improbable. When Rogers positioned himself before the Villa faithful at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. Such periods are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.