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Just eight weeks in the past when the Villa attacker stood on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager admonished him for not reading a through-ball. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were a symptom or the source for Villa's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, however, the sideline response was entirely far more favourable. After Rogers swept in his second to restore the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician tore off his coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The team continued to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, now sit just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Hopefuls?

It remains a rather hard question to resolve. History, the traditional standing of Villa, suggests not. Furthermore, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the wins have piled up.

As per Opta, twice all season have Villa registered an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a club who have put together 10 in a row, they appear strangely fragile – however currently the margins are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and then rely on their talisman to save the day with a couple of clinical strikes. This occurred against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again versus the Red Devils.

His opener came from a superb shot, bent right inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

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

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opponents had more shots and more direct attempts. They have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those matches.

A statistical correction might be the most significant challenge they have to face as the season progresses. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot keep on blasting the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is another reality in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures might still find their top level.

• The centre-forward could start adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent might become the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are set to regain fitness, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable the team would sit in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt two months ago, nobody thought the midfielder now would be at the forefront of a title charge while establishing himself as a crucial player for the national team.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. When the hero stood in front of the home supporters after the match orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. Such periods are rare in football and should be relished.