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Just 60 days prior when the young forward stood on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as his coach berated him for missing a penetrating pass. Back then, as the club failed to win in six, the question was whether Rogers' form were a sign or a cause of the team's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, however, the manager's outburst proved to be decidedly more positive. As Rogers swept in his brace-sealing goal to restore Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician tore off his coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. Villa marched on to a 10th successive win and after failing to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, find themselves just three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Title Contenders?

This is an exceptionally difficult query to address. History, the traditional standing of the club, argues against it. Additionally, they have not been wholly dominant this season, while the wins have piled up.

As per Opta, on just two occasions has the team had an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a side which has strung together a ten-match winning streak, they appear strangely fragile – yet right now the fine lines are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and wait for Rogers to save the day with some crisp finishes. It happened against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again versus United.

Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, arced just inside the upright from a wide position. The follow-up goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

“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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opposition had more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction could be the biggest rival the club must confront over the coming weeks. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is another reality whereby, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players may yet find their top level.

• The main striker might resume finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent could transform into the player he showed during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually return from injury, fortifying a sometimes shaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

However, this was unforeseen. Few believed Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt two months ago, nobody thought Rogers as the year closed would be leading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a vital player for the national team.

The current run is to be savoured for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As the match-winner faced the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and must be appreciated.