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A mere two months in the past that the young forward stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while his coach berated him for missing a penetrating pass. During that period, with the team endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his performances were a symptom or the reason of the team's wider issues.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the manager's outburst proved to be far more favourable. As the in-form star curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, spread his arms and roared. The team were on their way to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win their initial half-dozen games, now sit just three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Title Contenders?

It remains a particularly tough question to answer. History, the perceived status of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they have not been completely commanding in many games, while the wins have stacked up.

Per the data, in only two games have Villa registered an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a team that have just won 10 in a row, they look weirdly vulnerable – but right now the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy seems to be to trade blows with an opponent and then rely on their star man to save the day with a couple of crisp finishes. It happened away to Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and again when facing Manchester United.

His opener stemmed from an exquisite effort, curled precisely inside the post from the edge of the area. For his second proved to be a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

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

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opposition registered more efforts and more shots on target. The team has secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those matches.

A reversion to average could be the greatest opponent the club must confront over the coming weeks. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain thrashing the football into the net's top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is an alternative path in which, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players may yet return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward could start adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the performer he resembled during his peak.
• The defensive duo will eventually return from injury, fortifying a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this is a surprise. Few believed Aston Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely earlier this season, nobody thought Rogers now would be leading a hunt for the title while looking like an essential England player.

This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. When the hero faced the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.