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Just 60 days in the past that the young forward found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while Unai Emery admonished him for missing a penetrating pass. During that period, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, the question was if Rogers' form were an indicator or a cause for the team's more general malaise.

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

On Sunday, though, the manager's outburst was entirely far more favourable. As the England international curled home his second strike to reclaim the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician tore off his jacket, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club were on their way to ten wins in a row and despite not winning any of their first six games, are somehow a mere three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Serious Hopefuls?

That’s a particularly tough proposition to answer. History, the perceived status of this institution, suggests not. Additionally, their performances haven't been wholly dominant during this run, despite the fact the wins have piled up.

According to Opta, twice all season has the team had an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a team which has just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the margins are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy looks like to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for their star man to bail them out with two precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and again against Manchester United.

His opener came from a brilliant finish, bent right inside the upright from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of goal number one capitalizing 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?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, Manchester United managed more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those games.

A reversion to average could be the most significant challenge the club will encounter in the near future. The forward, surely, cannot keep on blasting the ball into the net's top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Could it be another reality in which, rather than luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players might still find their top level.

• The centre-forward may begin to scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the player he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are set to come back from the treatment room, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Maybe within that lies the potential of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt two months ago, no one envisioned the young forward by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial England player.

This winning streak should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. When Rogers positioned himself before the Villa faithful at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These spells are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.