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Just eight weeks in the past when the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery berated him over missing a penetrating pass. At that point, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether his displays were a symptom or a cause for the team's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, though, the manager's outburst was entirely far more favourable. After the England international curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore his side's advantage, Emery discarded his winter coat, spread his arms and bellowed. Villa continued to a 10th successive win and after failing to win any of their first six games, now sit only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Challengers?

That’s a particularly tough proposition to answer. The historical record, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant during this run, despite the fact the victories have stacked up.

According to Opta, twice all season have Villa had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a side who have just won ten consecutive victories, Villa appear strangely fragile – but at the moment the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy seems to be to trade blows with rivals before hoping their talisman to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. This occurred away to Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and once more against United.

His opener came from an exquisite effort, arced just inside the post from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.

“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?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opponents managed more shots and more direct attempts. They have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those matches.

A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival Villa have to face in the near future. Their key man, surely, cannot maintain drilling the ball into the net's top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists a different scenario where, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures might still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward might resume adding to his goal tally.
• The winger could transform into the player he showed in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to regain fitness, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

But then, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Villa would be third at Christmas. And certainly back in October, few could imagine the young forward now would be spearheading a title charge and appearing as an essential Three Lions star.

This winning streak should be enjoyed precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the hero stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These runs of form are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.