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A mere eight weeks ago that the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while his coach berated him for not reading a through-ball. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if his displays were a symptom or the reason of Villa's wider issues.

“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 much more joyous. When Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician ripped off his jacket, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team continued to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win their opening six games, now sit just three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Hopefuls?

It remains a rather hard proposition to answer. The historical record, a general sense of Villa, argues against it. Additionally, they have not been entirely convincing this season, while the positive results have piled up.

Per the data, on just two occasions has the team had an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a side which has strung together 10 in a row, they seem strangely fragile – yet currently the fine lines are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The current approach seems to be to exchange chances with the opposition and wait for their talisman to save the day with some crisp finishes. It happened against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again against the Red Devils.

The initial strike came from a superb shot, arced right inside the upright from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of the opener capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

“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?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opponents managed a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those matches.

A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival the club will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, surely, cannot maintain blasting the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Could it be a different scenario in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs might still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward might resume scoring again.
• The winger could transform into the performer he resembled in Germany.
• The defensive duo are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a genuine bid, but they surely cannot keep relying on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

However, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt two months ago, no one envisioned Rogers now would be leading a hunt for the title and appearing as an essential England player.

The current run must be cherished exactly since it appears so improbable. When the match-winner stood in front of the home supporters at the final whistle conducting the cheers, it was clear to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.