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Just eight weeks prior when the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery scolded him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. Back then, as the club went six without a win, doubts remained whether his displays were a symptom or the source of the side's wider issues.

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

This weekend, though, the manager's outburst was far more favourable. When Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to reclaim his side's advantage, Emery discarded his jacket, spread his arms and bellowed. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row , despite not winning their opening six games, find themselves a mere three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Hopefuls?

This is a rather hard proposition to answer. The historical record, a general sense of this institution, suggests not. Additionally, they've rarely been entirely convincing in many games, even as the positive results have accumulated.

According to the data, in only two games has the side registered an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a team that have just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa look curiously susceptible – but currently the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic appears to be to trade blows with an opponent and then rely on their talisman to rescue them with two clinical strikes. This occurred away to Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and again against the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, bent right inside the goal frame from a wide position. For his second 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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, Manchester United registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those fixtures.

A statistical correction might be the biggest rival Villa will encounter in the near future. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain blasting the ball into the top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures may yet find their top level.

• The main striker may begin to scoring again.
• The winger may rediscover the performer he showed in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are due to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the possibility for a sustained push, but they surely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this was unforeseen. Few believed Aston Villa would sit third at Christmas. And without a doubt two months ago, nobody thought Rogers now would be leading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as an essential England player.

This winning streak must be cherished precisely because it seems so surreal. When the hero stood in front of the North End when the game ended conducting the cheers, he appeared to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. Such periods are rare in football and should be relished.