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It was 60 days in the past that the young forward was standing on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery berated him over missing a penetrating pass. Back then, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether Rogers' form were a sign or the reason for the side's broader struggles.

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

In the latest match, though, the sideline response was decidedly more positive. After the England international curled home his second strike to reclaim Villa's lead, Emery discarded his coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. Villa were on their way to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning their initial half-dozen games, find themselves a mere three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?

That’s a rather hard query to address. Past precedent, the perceived status of the club, suggests not. Moreover, their performances haven't been completely commanding in many games, even as the wins have accumulated.

Per Opta, twice all season has the side had an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a team which has put together a ten-match winning streak, Villa seem strangely fragile – yet at the moment the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic looks like to exchange chances with the opposition and wait for their star man to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. This occurred away to Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened when facing the Red Devils.

The initial strike originated from an exquisite effort, arced precisely inside the post from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, Manchester United managed a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. They have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those fixtures.

A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival Villa have to face over the coming weeks. Rogers, surely, will not continue to blasting the ball into the net's top corner forever.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures might still find their top level.

• The centre-forward might resume scoring again.
• The winger could transform into the performer he resembled in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to return from injury, fortifying a sometimes shaky backline.

This could contain the possibility for a sustained push, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, this is a surprise. Few believed Aston Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, nobody thought Rogers by the end of the year would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a crucial player for the national team.

This remarkable period must be cherished for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner stood in front of the Villa faithful after the match conducting the cheers, it was clear to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These runs of form are rare in football and must be appreciated.