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It was eight weeks ago that the Villa attacker was standing on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery scolded him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. Back then, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained if his displays 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.”

In the latest match, though, the sideline response was entirely far more favourable. When the in-form star drilled in his second strike to reinstate Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician ripped off his jacket, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa were on their way to a tenth straight victory and despite not winning their opening six fixtures, find themselves only three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Hopefuls?

That’s a particularly tough question to address. History, a general sense of Villa, argues against it. Furthermore, their performances haven't been wholly dominant this season, even as the victories have piled up.

According to Opta, in only two games have Villa registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a team which has put together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans appear curiously susceptible – but currently the margins are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy looks like to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for their talisman to bail them out with two precise efforts. This occurred away to Leeds, it occurred in London, and again versus Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a superb shot, bent right inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal acted as a slight scruffier version of goal number one capitalizing 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, the opponents had a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those games.

A statistical correction might be the greatest opponent Villa have to face in the near future. Their key man, in all likelihood, will not continue to drilling his shots into the net's top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists another reality where, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players could still return to peak condition.

• The main striker could start adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the force he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to return from injury, fortifying a periodically leaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought the midfielder as the year closed would be spearheading a championship pursuit and appearing as a vital player for the national team.

This winning streak should be enjoyed for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As the match-winner stood in front of the North End at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.