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A mere 60 days prior when the Villa attacker stood on the Sunderland turf, looking confused as Unai Emery admonished him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. At that point, as the club endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if his performances were an indicator or a cause of the team's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. As the England international swept in his second strike to restore his side's advantage, the boss discarded his coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The team were on their way to ten wins in a row , having failed to win any of their first six games, are somehow only three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Hopefuls?

That’s a rather hard proposition to address. History, the perceived status of the club, indicates otherwise. Additionally, their performances haven't been completely commanding this season, despite the fact the wins have accumulated.

Per statistical analysis, in only two games has the side registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a club which has just won 10 in a row, Villa seem curiously susceptible – however at the moment the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy appears to be to exchange chances with the opposition before hoping their star man to bail them out with two clinical strikes. This occurred away to Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again against Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal originated from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the post from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal proved to be 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, Manchester United managed a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those matches.

A reversion to average could be the greatest opponent Villa have to face as the season progresses. The forward, surely, cannot keep on drilling his shots into the top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is a different scenario whereby, rather than luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players might still find their top level.

• The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a periodically leaky backline.

This could contain the potential of a title challenge, but they surely cannot keep relying on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt back in October, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit while looking like a vital Three Lions star.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. When Rogers faced the home supporters at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he seemed to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and should be relished.