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Just eight weeks prior when the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery berated him for missing a penetrating pass. At that point, as the club failed to win in six, the question was if his performances were a sign or a cause of the team's more general malaise.

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

On Sunday, though, the sideline response was entirely decidedly more positive. As the England international curled home his second to reclaim Villa's lead, the boss discarded his coat, opened his arms and roared. Villa were on their way to a 10th successive win and despite not winning any of their first six games, now sit just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Challengers?

That’s a particularly tough proposition to address. The historical record, the perceived status of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they have not been completely commanding this season, even as the victories have stacked up.

Per Opta, on just two occasions has the team posted an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a side that have just won ten consecutive victories, the Villans seem curiously susceptible – however at the moment the margins are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy looks like to trade blows with an opponent and wait for their talisman to rescue them with two clinical strikes. This occurred away to Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and once more when facing United.

The initial strike came from a superb shot, bent right inside the post from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal acted as a somewhat messier replica 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opposition had more shots and more direct attempts. Villa have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those matches.

A reversion to average may well be the biggest rival Villa have to face as the season progresses. Their key man, surely, cannot maintain blasting the ball into the net's top corner forever.

Potential for Growth

Could it be another reality in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The winger may rediscover the force he was in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are set to regain fitness, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility for a sustained push, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely back in October, nobody thought the midfielder as the year closed would be spearheading a hunt for the title while looking like an essential England player.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed exactly since it feels so unlikely. As the hero positioned himself before the home supporters when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.