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A mere two months prior that the Villa attacker was standing on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while Unai Emery berated him for not reading a through-ball. During that period, as Villa failed to win in six, the question was if his performances were an indicator or a cause of Villa's more general malaise.

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

In the latest match, however, the manager's outburst was entirely much more joyous. When the England international curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician tore off his winter coat, opened his arms and roared. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win any of their first six matches, find themselves just three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Title Contenders?

That’s a particularly tough query to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Additionally, they have not been entirely convincing in many games, even as the positive results have piled up.

Per statistical analysis, on just two occasions have Villa registered an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a club which has strung together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans appear weirdly vulnerable – however at the moment the fine lines are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy looks like to exchange chances with the opposition before hoping their talisman to bail them out with some clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again versus Manchester United.

The initial strike stemmed from a brilliant finish, curled just inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of his first as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

Can It Last?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opposition had more shots and more direct attempts. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all but one of those games.

A statistical correction might be the biggest rival they will encounter in the near future. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot keep on drilling his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists another reality whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players might still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The winger could transform into the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, but they surely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this is a surprise. Nobody thought the team would sit third at Christmas. And most definitely two months ago, no one envisioned Rogers as the year closed would be spearheading a title charge while looking like a crucial player for the national team.

This winning streak must be cherished for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When Rogers faced the Villa faithful when the game ended leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.