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Just 60 days ago when the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused as Unai Emery admonished him over not reading a penetrating pass. Back then, as the club failed to win in six, the question was whether Rogers' form were a sign or the source for the side's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, however, the sideline response proved to be far more favourable. When Rogers swept in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician tore off his coat, opened his arms and roared. Villa were on their way to a 10th successive win and after failing to win any of their first six fixtures, now sit just three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Hopefuls?

This is a rather hard query to answer. Past precedent, the perceived status of the club, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been completely commanding in many games, while the positive results have accumulated.

Per Opta, on just two occasions has the team had an xG significantly higher than the other team. For a side who have strung together ten consecutive victories, the Villans seem strangely fragile – however right now the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy appears to be to trade blows with rivals and wait for their star man to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. This was the case against Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and again when facing United.

Rogers' first goal came from an exquisite effort, bent precisely inside the upright from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slight scruffier version 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. Against United, Manchester United registered more shots and more efforts on goal. They have won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction might be the most significant challenge Villa have to face in the near future. Their key man, almost certainly, will not continue to drilling his shots past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be an alternative path whereby, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures may yet find their top level.

• The centre-forward could start scoring again.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the force he showed in Germany.
• The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, strengthening a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the potential for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

However, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought the midfielder now would be at the forefront of a title charge and appearing as an essential player for the national team.

This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When Rogers faced the home supporters when the game ended leading the celebrations, he seemed to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.