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A mere two months prior when the young forward found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager admonished him over not reading a through-ball. Back then, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained whether his performances were a sign or a cause for the team's more general malaise.

“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”

This weekend, in contrast, the manager's outburst proved to be far more favourable. When the in-form star drilled in his second to reinstate Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician tore off his coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row and after failing to win their opening six fixtures, find themselves only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Title Contenders?

This is a rather hard question to address. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they have not been wholly dominant this season, while the victories have accumulated.

Per Opta, on just two occasions have Villa posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a team that have just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa seem strangely fragile – but currently the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

The current approach looks like to exchange chances with the opposition and wait for their star man to rescue them with some precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened against the Red Devils.

His opener stemmed from a brilliant finish, bent just inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he pounced 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, Manchester United managed a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean may well be the most significant challenge Villa will encounter as the season progresses. Their key man, surely, cannot keep on thrashing the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is an alternative path where, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs might still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the performer he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are due to regain fitness, bolstering a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the potential of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Villa would sit third at Christmas. And without a doubt earlier this season, few could imagine the young forward now would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial Three Lions star.

This winning streak should be enjoyed precisely because it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner faced the home supporters after the match orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.