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Just two months prior that the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery admonished him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. At that point, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, the question was if Rogers' form were an indicator or the reason of the team'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 touchline reaction was entirely much more joyous. After the in-form star curled home his second strike to restore Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician tore off his coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The Birmingham club were on their way to ten wins in a row , after failing to win any of their first six games, now sit only three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Hopefuls?

That’s a rather hard proposition to address. History, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been entirely convincing this season, despite the fact the victories have accumulated.

According to Opta, twice all season has the team registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a side that have just won a ten-match winning streak, they appear strangely fragile – however at the moment the fine lines are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic looks like to engage in a shootout with rivals and wait for Rogers to rescue them with a couple of precise efforts. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and again when facing Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal originated from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the upright from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

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

Can It Last?

Logic says not. Against United, the opposition registered more shots and more shots on target. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those matches.

A reversion to average may well be the most significant challenge Villa must confront in the near future. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot maintain thrashing his shots into the top corner forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is a different scenario whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still find their top level.

• The centre-forward might resume adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho might become the performer he showed in Germany.
• The defensive duo are due to return from injury, bolstering a sometimes shaky backline.

This could contain the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely can continue to depend solely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

However, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And without a doubt back in October, no one envisioned the midfielder now would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a vital England player.

The current run should be enjoyed precisely because it seems so surreal. As the hero stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.