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It was two months in the past when the young forward stood on the Sunderland turf, looking confused as Unai Emery admonished him over missing a pass in behind. During that period, with the team went six without a win, the question was whether his performances were a sign or the source for the team's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the sideline response proved to be much more joyous. When the England international drilled in his second strike to reinstate Villa's lead, Emery discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team marched on to a 10th successive win and after failing to win their opening six matches, are somehow a mere three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Challengers?

That’s a rather hard proposition to address. The historical record, a general sense of this institution, suggests not. Furthermore, their performances haven't been wholly dominant this season, despite the fact the victories have accumulated.

According to Opta, on just two occasions has the team registered an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a club who have just won ten consecutive victories, they look weirdly vulnerable – but right now the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach looks like to trade blows with an opponent before hoping their talisman to save the day with two clinical strikes. This was the case against Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and once more when facing the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal came from an exquisite effort, arced right inside the upright from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of goal number one as he seized 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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opposition registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean might be the greatest opponent they will encounter in the near future. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain blasting the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be another reality whereby, rather than luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins could start adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho might become the performer he was during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs are set to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a periodically leaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. Nobody thought the team would be third at Christmas. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the midfielder by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a crucial England player.

The current run is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the hero stood in front of the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.