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A mere eight weeks prior that the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery admonished him for missing a pass in behind. During that period, with the team went six without a win, the question was whether Rogers' form were an indicator or a cause for 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, however, the manager's outburst was entirely far more favourable. When Rogers swept in his second to reinstate Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician tore off his jacket, opened his arms and bellowed. Villa were on their way to a tenth straight victory and despite not winning any of their first six matches, now sit just three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Challengers?

That’s a particularly tough proposition to resolve. The historical record, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Additionally, their performances haven't been wholly dominant this season, even as the wins have piled up.

According to statistical analysis, twice all season has the team registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a side that have strung together 10 in a row, Villa seem curiously susceptible – but at the moment the margins are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic looks like to exchange chances with rivals before hoping Rogers to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it transpired in London, and it happened against United.

His opener stemmed from a superb shot, curled right inside the goal frame from a wide position. The follow-up goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opposition managed more shots and more shots on target. The team has secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all except one of those games.

A reversion to average could be the most significant challenge Villa must confront as the season progresses. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers forever.

A Case for Belief

Could it be another reality in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins could start adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho might become the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to regain fitness, bolstering a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a genuine bid, but they surely cannot keep relying on one man.

Savoring the Moment

However, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And certainly two months ago, no one envisioned the young forward by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge while looking like a vital Three Lions star.

This winning streak is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner stood in front of the North End when the game ended leading the celebrations, he appeared to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.