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A mere two months in the past that the young forward was standing on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery scolded him for not reading a penetrating pass. During that period, as the club endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if his performances were a symptom or a cause for Villa's wider issues.

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

This weekend, however, the touchline reaction proved to be decidedly more positive. As the in-form star curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate the lead for Villa, the boss ripped off his jacket, opened his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club were on their way to a tenth straight victory and despite not winning their initial half-dozen fixtures, find themselves only three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Hopefuls?

This is an exceptionally difficult question to address. History, the perceived status of Villa, suggests not. Moreover, they have not been entirely convincing in many games, despite the fact the victories have stacked up.

As per statistical analysis, in only two games have Villa had an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a team which has strung together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans appear weirdly vulnerable – however right now the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic seems to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and wait for Rogers to bail them out with two precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and it happened when facing the Red Devils.

The initial strike came from a brilliant finish, arced precisely inside the goal frame from a wide position. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

“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?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opposition managed more efforts and more shots on target. The team has won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those fixtures.

A statistical correction might be the most significant challenge they have to face as the season progresses. Their key man, surely, cannot keep on blasting the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be an alternative path in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs might still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent might become the performer he resembled in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the potential for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would be third at Christmas. And certainly earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward now would be leading a title charge and appearing as a vital Three Lions star.

This winning streak must be cherished for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As Rogers stood in front of the North End when the game ended conducting the cheers, he appeared to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These spells are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.