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It was eight weeks in the past that the Villa attacker stood on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery berated him over not reading a through-ball. Back then, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his performances were a sign or a cause for the side's wider issues.

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

In the latest match, though, the touchline reaction was entirely far more favourable. When the England international curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore Villa's lead, the boss discarded his winter coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. Villa continued to a 10th successive win , after failing to win their initial half-dozen games, now sit just three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Title Contenders?

That’s a rather hard query to resolve. History, a general sense of this institution, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they have not been wholly dominant this season, even as the positive results have accumulated.

As per statistical analysis, twice all season has the side had an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a side which has just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa look strangely fragile – yet at the moment the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach looks like to exchange chances with an opponent and then rely on Rogers to rescue them with a couple of crisp finishes. This was the case away to Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and again against United.

His opener originated from a brilliant finish, curled right inside the upright from a wide position. For his second was essentially a slight scruffier version of goal number one capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

“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?

Logic says not. Against United, Manchester United managed more efforts and more shots on target. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean might be the greatest opponent they have to face in the near future. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot keep on drilling the ball past despairing goalkeepers forever.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is another reality whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players could still find their top level.

• The main striker might resume scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the player he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are set to return from injury, fortifying a periodically leaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable the team would be third at Christmas. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned Rogers by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge and appearing as an essential Three Lions star.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed exactly since it appears so improbable. When Rogers stood in front of the North End at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he seemed to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These spells are rare in football and must be appreciated.