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A mere 60 days ago when the Villa attacker was standing on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as Unai Emery admonished him over not reading a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was if Rogers' form were an indicator or the reason for the team's wider issues.

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

This weekend, though, the manager's outburst proved to be decidedly more positive. After the in-form star curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate the lead for Villa, the boss tore off his jacket, opened his arms and bellowed. The team were on their way to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win their opening six games, find themselves a mere three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?

This is an exceptionally difficult question to resolve. Past precedent, the traditional standing of the club, suggests not. Additionally, their performances haven't been completely commanding in many games, despite the fact the wins have stacked up.

As per the data, in only two games has the side registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a club which has strung together a ten-match winning streak, they appear weirdly vulnerable – yet right now the margins are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The current approach seems to be to exchange chances with an opponent and then rely on their talisman to save the day with a couple of crisp finishes. This occurred away to Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened against the Red Devils.

His opener originated from a brilliant finish, arced precisely inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of the opener capitalizing 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opponents had a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those matches.

Regression to the mean may well be the most significant challenge the club will encounter over the coming weeks. Their key man, surely, cannot maintain blasting his shots into the top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Could it be a different scenario where, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players may yet rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward could start adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho might become the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky defence.

This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

However, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought the midfielder by the end of the year would be leading a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial player for the national team.

The current run should be enjoyed exactly since it appears so improbable. When the hero positioned himself before the North End at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he appeared to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.