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It was two months in the past that the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery scolded him over not reading a through-ball. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained if his displays were an indicator or a cause 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.”

In the latest match, in contrast, the sideline response was entirely decidedly more positive. After the England international drilled in his second strike to restore his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician ripped off his coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The team were on their way to ten wins in a row , having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, now sit only three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Hopefuls?

This is an exceptionally difficult question to address. History, the traditional standing of the club, argues against it. Furthermore, they have not been wholly dominant in many games, even as the victories have piled up.

According to Opta, in only two games has the team had an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a club that have put together a ten-match winning streak, Villa seem strangely fragile – however right now the margins are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy looks like to engage in a shootout with rivals before hoping Rogers to bail them out with some crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and once more when facing Manchester United.

His opener stemmed from an exquisite effort, bent just inside the upright from the edge of the area. The follow-up 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, the opponents registered a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those fixtures.

A reversion to average may well be the most significant challenge Villa must confront in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, will not continue to drilling his shots past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players may yet find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
• The attacking talent could transform into the force he resembled during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually come back from the treatment room, strengthening a sometimes shaky defence.

This could contain the possibility of a title challenge, but they surely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

But then, this is a surprise. Few believed Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, nobody thought the midfielder as the year closed would be spearheading a title charge while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.

The current run must be cherished exactly since it appears so improbable. As the hero faced the Villa faithful at the final whistle conducting the cheers, it was clear to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These spells are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.