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Just two months ago when the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery berated him for missing a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team went six without a win, the question was if his displays were an indicator or the source of the side's wider issues.

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

This weekend, however, the manager's outburst proved to be decidedly more positive. After the in-form star drilled in his second to reinstate the lead for Villa, Emery tore off his jacket, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa continued to a 10th successive win and despite not winning their initial half-dozen fixtures, now sit only three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Hopefuls?

This is a rather hard query to answer. The historical record, the perceived status of the club, indicates otherwise. Additionally, their performances haven't been wholly dominant this season, despite the fact the positive results have piled up.

As per Opta, twice all season has the side registered an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a club which has put together ten consecutive victories, they look curiously susceptible – however right now the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach appears to be to trade blows with an opponent and then rely on their star man to save the day with two precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and it happened against United.

His opener originated from a superb shot, curled precisely inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. For his second acted as a somewhat messier replica of his first as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

“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?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opponents managed more shots and more direct attempts. The team has secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those games.

A reversion to average could be the most significant challenge the club will encounter in the near future. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain thrashing his shots into the net's top corner forever.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is an alternative path in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players may yet return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward could start scoring again.
• The winger could transform into the force he showed in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

But then, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought the team would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely back in October, no one envisioned Rogers by the end of the year would be spearheading a championship pursuit and appearing as a crucial Three Lions star.

This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner positioned himself before the home supporters at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are rare in football and should be relished.