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It was eight weeks ago that the young forward stood on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery scolded him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. During that period, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his performances were a symptom or a cause of the team's more general malaise.

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

In the latest match, though, the manager's outburst proved to be decidedly more positive. After Rogers drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician tore off his winter coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The team were on their way to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win their opening six matches, find themselves only three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?

That’s a rather hard proposition to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Furthermore, they've rarely been wholly dominant this season, while the wins have accumulated.

According to the data, on just two occasions has the team posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a side that have strung together 10 in a row, they appear strangely fragile – however right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy seems to be to trade blows with an opponent and wait for Rogers to rescue them with two clinical strikes. This was the case against Leeds, it transpired in London, and again versus Manchester United.

His opener stemmed from an exquisite effort, arced right inside the upright from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced 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.”

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opposition had more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all except one of those games.

A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival Villa will encounter in the near future. Rogers, surely, cannot keep on drilling the football into the top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Could it be another reality whereby, rather than luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures could still find their top level.

• The centre-forward could start finding the net regularly.
• The winger may rediscover the performer he was in Germany.
• The defensive duo are set to regain fitness, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable backline.

This could contain the potential of a genuine bid, but they surely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

However, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would be third at Christmas. And without a doubt back in October, nobody thought the midfielder now would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit and appearing as an essential player for the national team.

This winning streak must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. When the hero faced the home supporters at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These runs of form are rare in football and must be appreciated.