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Just two months ago when the young forward was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery admonished him for missing a pass in behind. Back then, as the club went six without a win, the question was if Rogers' form were a symptom 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.”

This weekend, however, the touchline reaction was decidedly more positive. After the in-form star drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate the lead for Villa, the boss ripped off his coat, spread his arms and roared. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row , despite not winning any of their first six fixtures, now sit just three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?

That’s a particularly tough proposition to address. History, the perceived status of the club, argues against it. Moreover, their performances haven't been entirely convincing this season, even as the wins have piled up.

According to Opta, on just two occasions has the side posted an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a team which has strung together ten consecutive victories, they look curiously susceptible – but currently the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy seems to be to exchange chances with an opponent and wait for Rogers to rescue them with some precise efforts. This was the case against Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and once more when facing the Red Devils.

The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, arced just inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. For his second proved to be a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he seized 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opposition had a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. The team has 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 biggest rival they will encounter in the near future. The forward, almost certainly, cannot maintain thrashing the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Could it be an alternative path whereby, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players could still find their top level.

• The main striker may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the player he was in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to return from injury, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defence.

This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, but they surely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while looking like an essential player for the national team.

This winning streak must be cherished exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner stood in front of the home supporters when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These runs of form do not happen often and must be appreciated.