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It was 60 days in the past that the young forward stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while his coach admonished him for missing a penetrating pass. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were a symptom or the source for the side's wider issues.

“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”

In the latest match, though, the manager's outburst proved to be far more favourable. After Rogers curled home his second strike to restore his side's advantage, the boss discarded his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The team marched on to ten wins in a row and having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, now sit just three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Title Contenders?

It remains an exceptionally difficult question to answer. Past precedent, the traditional standing of Villa, argues against it. Additionally, they've rarely been completely commanding in many games, while the victories have accumulated.

Per Opta, on just two occasions have Villa had an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a team who have just won a ten-match winning streak, the Villans look weirdly vulnerable – however right now the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for their star man to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and it happened versus Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal originated from a brilliant finish, bent just inside the upright from the edge of the area. For his second proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. Against United, the opponents had more shots and more direct attempts. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all except one of those matches.

Regression to the mean may well be the greatest opponent they will encounter in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, will not continue to thrashing the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is a different scenario whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs may yet rediscover their best form.

• The main striker may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are due to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. Nobody thought the team would sit in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought the midfielder as the year closed would be at the forefront of a title charge while looking like a vital England player.

The current run must be cherished precisely because it feels so unlikely. When Rogers faced the Villa faithful at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.