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Just two months in the past that the young forward was standing on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while Unai Emery scolded him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. Back then, as the club failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if his performances were an indicator or the source for the team's broader struggles.

“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”

On Sunday, however, the touchline reaction proved to be far more favourable. After the England international drilled in his second strike to restore Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician ripped off his coat, opened his arms and roared. The team were on their way to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win any of their first six fixtures, now sit a mere three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Hopefuls?

That’s an exceptionally difficult question to address. History, the perceived status of the club, suggests not. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant this season, despite the fact the positive results have piled up.

According to the data, in only two games has the side registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a club that have strung together ten consecutive victories, they look strangely fragile – yet currently the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach looks like to trade blows with rivals before hoping Rogers to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. This was the case against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and it happened when facing the Red Devils.

His opener came from a brilliant finish, arced precisely inside the upright from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

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

How Long Can This Continue?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opponents registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those matches.

A reversion to average could be the most significant challenge they will encounter in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, will not continue to blasting his shots past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures could still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
• The winger might become the force he resembled during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Maybe within that lies the possibility of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

However, this was unforeseen. Few believed Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And certainly two months ago, no one envisioned Rogers now would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a crucial England player.

This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. As the hero faced the home supporters after the match orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells do not happen often and should be relished.