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Just 60 days ago when the Villa attacker found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as the Villa manager scolded him over not reading a through-ball. During that period, as the club went six without a win, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were a sign or a cause for the team's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, in contrast, the touchline reaction was far more favourable. As the in-form star swept in his brace-sealing goal to restore the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician tore off his coat, spread his arms and roared. Villa marched on to ten wins in a row and despite not winning their opening six matches, are somehow just three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Challengers?

It remains an exceptionally difficult proposition to answer. The historical record, the traditional standing of the club, argues against it. Furthermore, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, even as the wins have accumulated.

According to Opta, twice all season has the team had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a club which has just won a ten-match winning streak, the Villans appear strangely fragile – but right now the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy looks like to exchange chances with rivals and wait for Rogers to rescue them with two precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it transpired in London, and again versus the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal came from an exquisite effort, curled right inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. For his second acted as a slightly less clean iteration 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, Manchester United registered a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. The team has won each of their last eight by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those games.

A reversion to average could be the biggest rival the club must confront in the near future. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot keep on thrashing the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists a different scenario where, rather than luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward could start finding the net regularly.
• The winger may rediscover the player he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually return from injury, bolstering a sometimes shaky backline.

Maybe within that lies the possibility of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this is a surprise. Few believed the team would be in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely back in October, no one envisioned Rogers as the year closed would be spearheading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a crucial Three Lions star.

This winning streak should be enjoyed exactly since it appears so improbable. When the match-winner stood in front of the Villa faithful at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are rare in football and should be relished.