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A mere 60 days in the past when the Villa attacker was standing on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager berated him for missing a pass in behind. At that point, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his displays were a symptom or the reason of the side's more general malaise.

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

On Sunday, though, the touchline reaction was far more favourable. When Rogers drilled in his second to reclaim his side's advantage, the boss discarded his coat, opened his arms and bellowed. Villa continued to ten wins in a row , having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, now sit only three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Title Contenders?

That’s a rather hard proposition to answer. History, the perceived status of this institution, argues against it. Furthermore, they have not been entirely convincing this season, despite the fact the positive results have stacked up.

Per Opta, on just two occasions have Villa had an xG significantly higher than the other team. For a team who have put together 10 in a row, they look weirdly vulnerable – however right now the margins are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy seems to be to trade blows with the opposition and then rely on their star man to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. It happened away to Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and once more when facing Manchester United.

His opener stemmed from a brilliant finish, bent right inside the post from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of his first as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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.”

Can It Last?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opposition managed more efforts and more shots on target. They have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those matches.

A reversion to average could be the most significant challenge Villa must confront as the season progresses. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling his shots into the net's top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Could it be an alternative path in which, rather than luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players may yet rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward might resume adding to his goal tally.
• The winger might become the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually return from injury, strengthening a sometimes shaky defence.

This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. Nobody thought the team would sit third at Christmas. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned Rogers by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while looking like a vital Three Lions star.

This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. When the match-winner positioned himself before the Villa faithful at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.