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Just eight weeks ago that the Villa attacker found himself on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery scolded him for missing a through-ball. At that point, as the club went six without a win, it wasn't clear if his displays were a symptom or a cause of the team's wider issues.

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

This weekend, however, the sideline response proved to be decidedly more positive. After Rogers swept in his brace-sealing goal to restore the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician ripped off his coat, spread his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club marched on to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win any of their first six fixtures, are somehow just three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Title Contenders?

That’s a particularly tough proposition to address. The historical record, the perceived status of the club, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing during this run, despite the fact the positive results have accumulated.

Per statistical analysis, in only two games have Villa posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a team which has strung together a ten-match winning streak, Villa seem curiously susceptible – but right now the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic looks like to exchange chances with the opposition before hoping their star man to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired in London, and once more when facing United.

The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, arced right inside the post from a wide position. His brace-completing goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of his first capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opposition had a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. They have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all but one of those matches.

A reversion to average could be the greatest opponent they have to face as the season progresses. The forward, surely, will not continue to drilling the football into the top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists an alternative path in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still find their top level.

• The main striker may begin to scoring again.
• The winger might become the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually regain fitness, strengthening a periodically leaky defensive unit.

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

Savoring the Moment

But then, this was unforeseen. Few believed the team would be in the top three for the holidays. And certainly two months ago, few could imagine the young forward by the end of the year would be spearheading a title charge and appearing as an essential England player.

This winning streak should be enjoyed for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As the match-winner faced the home supporters at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These runs of form are rare in football and should be relished.