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It was eight weeks ago when the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused as Unai Emery admonished him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. At that point, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his displays were a sign or a cause of the side'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 manager's outburst was entirely far more favourable. As the in-form star curled home his second to reclaim his side's advantage, Emery discarded his coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa marched on to ten wins in a row and despite not winning their initial half-dozen matches, now sit a mere three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Title Contenders?

This is a rather hard query to resolve. History, the perceived status of the club, argues against it. Furthermore, they have not been wholly dominant this season, even as the victories have piled up.

Per the data, in only two games has the team posted an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a team which has put together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans seem strangely fragile – yet currently the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The current approach appears to be to trade blows with the opposition before hoping their star man to save the day with some precise efforts. This occurred against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and once more when facing Manchester United.

His opener came from a brilliant finish, curled right inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.

“Perhaps Rogers’ right foot is becoming like Arjen Robben’s left: just because you know he’s going to whip the ball into the top corner doesn’t mean you can stop him.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opponents registered more shots and more direct attempts. The team has won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all except one of those games.

A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival the club have to face over the coming weeks. Their key man, surely, cannot maintain thrashing the ball into the top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is another reality whereby, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players may yet rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins might resume adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the force he was in Germany.
• The defensive duo will eventually return from injury, fortifying a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this is a surprise. Few believed Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely earlier this season, no one envisioned Rogers as the year closed would be at the forefront of a title charge while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.

This remarkable period must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. When the match-winner stood in front of the home supporters at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These spells are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.