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It was eight weeks in the past when the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as Unai Emery berated him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if his performances were a symptom or a cause of Villa's more general malaise.

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

In the latest match, though, the manager's outburst was entirely much more joyous. As the in-form star swept in his second strike to reclaim Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician ripped off his jacket, spread his arms and roared. Villa continued to a 10th successive win , despite not winning their initial half-dozen fixtures, find themselves a mere three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Title Contenders?

It remains a rather hard query to answer. The historical record, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Furthermore, they have not been completely commanding during this run, despite the fact the positive results have accumulated.

As per statistical analysis, in only two games have Villa registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a team who have just won a ten-match winning streak, they look weirdly vulnerable – however at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach looks like to exchange chances with the opposition and wait for Rogers to save the day with two crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and again when facing United.

The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, curled precisely inside the upright from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration 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.”

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opponents managed more efforts and more direct attempts. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all but one of those games.

A reversion to average may well be the greatest opponent Villa must confront as the season progresses. Their key man, in all likelihood, will not continue to blasting the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Could it be an alternative path whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs might still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins could start adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent could transform into the performer he resembled in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually come back from the treatment room, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a genuine bid, but they surely can continue to depend solely on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would sit in the top three for the holidays. And certainly earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while looking like a crucial England player.

The current run is to be savoured precisely because it seems so surreal. As the match-winner positioned himself before the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These runs of form are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.