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Just eight weeks prior that the young forward stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused as the Villa manager admonished him over not reading a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause for the team's broader struggles.

“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 was entirely decidedly more positive. When the in-form star swept in his second strike to restore the lead for Villa, the boss discarded his winter coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club marched on to a 10th successive win and having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, find themselves only three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Serious Challengers?

This is an exceptionally difficult query to resolve. The historical record, a general sense of this institution, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the victories have stacked up.

According to Opta, twice all season has the side posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a team that have strung together 10 in a row, they appear strangely fragile – however right now the margins are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic appears to be to trade blows with the opposition and wait for their talisman to rescue them with some clinical strikes. It happened at Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and once more against the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, bent right inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of the opener capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.

“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?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opponents had more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those fixtures.

A reversion to average might be the most significant challenge they have to face in the near future. The forward, surely, cannot keep on blasting his shots into the top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is an alternative path in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures might still return to peak condition.

• The main striker may begin to scoring again.
• The winger could transform into the player he showed in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually come back from the treatment room, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable backline.

This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, but they surely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

However, this was unforeseen. Few believed Aston Villa would sit third at Christmas. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought Rogers as the year closed would be spearheading a title charge and appearing as a vital Three Lions star.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. As the hero stood in front of the home supporters at the final whistle leading the celebrations, it was clear to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are rare in football and should be relished.