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A mere two months ago when the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while the Villa manager admonished him over not reading a pass in behind. During that period, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained whether his displays were a sign or the source of Villa's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, though, the manager's outburst was entirely much more joyous. When Rogers swept in his second strike to reclaim the lead for Villa, the boss discarded his winter coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row and after failing to win their opening six games, are somehow a mere three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Title Contenders?

It remains a rather hard question to address. History, the perceived status of this institution, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they have not been completely commanding during this run, while the wins have piled up.

Per Opta, on just two occasions have Villa posted an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a club that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, Villa seem strangely fragile – however at the moment the fine lines are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy looks like to engage in a shootout with rivals and then rely on their talisman to save the day with some crisp finishes. This occurred at Leeds, it transpired in London, and again versus the Red Devils.

The initial strike originated from a brilliant finish, bent right inside the upright from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opponents managed more shots and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all except one of those games.

A reversion to average might be the most significant challenge the club will encounter as the season progresses. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot keep on blasting the ball into the top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists another reality in which, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
• The attacking talent could transform into the player he resembled in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually return from injury, fortifying a periodically leaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility for a sustained push, but they surely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely back in October, nobody thought the young forward now would be leading a title charge while looking like a vital England player.

This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner positioned himself before the home supporters when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are rare in football and must be appreciated.