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It was eight weeks prior when the young forward found himself on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery scolded him for missing a penetrating pass. At that point, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his performances were an indicator or a cause of the team's broader struggles.

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

On Sunday, in contrast, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. When the in-form star swept in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate the lead for Villa, the boss tore off his jacket, spread his arms and bellowed. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, now sit just three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Hopefuls?

It remains a particularly tough query to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they have not been wholly dominant this season, despite the fact the positive results have piled up.

As per statistical analysis, twice all season has the side had an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a team who have just won ten consecutive victories, the Villans seem strangely fragile – yet currently the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy looks like to exchange chances with the opposition before hoping their star man to rescue them with a couple of precise efforts. This occurred against Leeds, it transpired in London, and once more against United.

His opener stemmed from a brilliant finish, bent right inside the post from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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.”

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, Manchester United managed a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. The team has secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those matches.

A reversion to average may well be the biggest rival the club will encounter in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot keep on drilling his shots into the net's top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is another reality in which, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs could still find their top level.

• The main striker might resume finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho might become the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.

This could contain the seeds of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

However, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt two months ago, nobody thought the midfielder now would be spearheading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a crucial Three Lions star.

This remarkable period must be cherished for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, it was clear to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.