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A mere 60 days prior when the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery berated him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. Back then, as Villa failed to win in six, doubts remained if his performances were an indicator or a cause of 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, however, the sideline response proved to be decidedly more positive. As the England international curled home his second strike to reclaim his side's advantage, the boss tore off his winter coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The team continued to a 10th successive win and having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, find themselves a mere three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Title Contenders?

That’s an exceptionally difficult query to address. The historical record, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Furthermore, their performances haven't been completely commanding in many games, despite the fact the positive results have accumulated.

As per the data, on just two occasions has the team posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a team which has strung together a ten-match winning streak, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – yet currently the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy looks like to engage in a shootout with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to rescue them with two clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened when facing Manchester United.

The initial strike originated from a superb shot, arced precisely inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. For his second was essentially a somewhat messier replica of goal number one as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

“Perhaps Rogers’ right foot is becoming like Arjen Robben’s left: just because you know he’s going to whip the ball into the top corner doesn’t mean you can stop him.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opposition had more efforts and more direct attempts. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all except one of those games.

Regression to the mean could be the biggest rival Villa will encounter in the near future. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot keep on thrashing the football into the net's top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Could it be another reality whereby, rather than luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.

• The main striker might resume finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the possibility of a genuine bid, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this is a surprise. Few believed Aston Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt two months ago, few could imagine the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a title charge and appearing as a vital player for the national team.

This winning streak should be enjoyed precisely because it appears so improbable. As the hero faced the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.