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It was eight weeks ago when the young forward stood on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery berated him over not reading a pass in behind. During that period, as the club endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were a sign or the reason 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, in contrast, the manager's outburst proved to be far more favourable. After Rogers drilled in his second strike to restore Villa's lead, the boss tore off his winter coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The team were on their way to a 10th successive win and despite not winning any of their first six matches, now sit only three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Hopefuls?

That’s an exceptionally difficult question to address. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Additionally, they have not been completely commanding during this run, while the victories have accumulated.

According to the data, in only two games have Villa registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a side which has put together 10 in a row, they appear curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for their star man to rescue them with two crisp finishes. This was the case against Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and again versus Manchester United.

The initial strike originated from a brilliant finish, arced precisely inside the upright from a wide position. The follow-up goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he pounced 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?

Logic says not. Against United, Manchester United had more efforts and more shots on target. Villa have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those games.

A statistical correction might be the greatest opponent the club must confront over the coming weeks. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot maintain blasting the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is an alternative path where, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The winger could transform into the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are set to regain fitness, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.

This could contain the seeds for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

But then, this is a surprise. Few believed the team would sit third at Christmas. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward by the end of the year would be spearheading a championship pursuit while looking like a vital player for the national team.

The current run should be enjoyed precisely because it seems so surreal. As the match-winner positioned himself before the North End at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. Such periods are rare in football and must be appreciated.