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It was 60 days in the past that the young forward was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery berated him for not reading a through-ball. Back then, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his performances were an indicator or the reason for the team's wider issues.

“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”

On Sunday, though, the manager's outburst was entirely far more favourable. When Rogers curled home his second strike to restore Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician ripped off his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. The team marched on to ten wins in a row and after failing to win their opening six matches, are somehow only three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?

This is an exceptionally difficult question to answer. The historical record, the perceived status of Villa, indicates otherwise. Additionally, their performances haven't been wholly dominant this season, even as the victories have piled up.

Per the data, twice all season has the side posted an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a team that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans appear strangely fragile – yet currently the margins are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy looks like to exchange chances with the opposition before hoping their talisman to save the day with two clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and once more when facing Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from an exquisite effort, arced precisely inside the post from a wide position. For his second was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. Against United, the opponents had more efforts and more shots on target. The team has secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all except one of those games.

Regression to the mean could be the greatest opponent they have to face as the season progresses. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain blasting his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists another reality in which, rather than luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet rediscover their best form.

• The main striker might resume finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the performer he showed in Germany.
• The defensive duo are set to regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the seeds for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

But then, this is a surprise. Few believed Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt back in October, nobody thought Rogers now would be spearheading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a crucial Three Lions star.

This winning streak is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the hero stood in front of the home supporters when the game ended conducting the cheers, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These spells are rare in football and should be relished.