🔗 Share this article

A mere eight weeks in the past when the young forward stood on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery berated him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. During that period, as the club endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if his performances were a sign or the source 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.”

On Sunday, though, the touchline reaction was entirely much more joyous. When the England international curled home his brace-sealing goal to reclaim his side's advantage, Emery discarded his winter coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. Villa marched on to a 10th successive win and despite not winning any of their first six matches, now sit just three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Serious Title Contenders?

It remains a particularly tough question to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, suggests not. Additionally, they have not been wholly dominant this season, even as the positive results have stacked up.

Per Opta, on just two occasions have Villa had an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a side who have strung together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans look weirdly vulnerable – yet right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach seems to be to exchange chances with an opponent and then rely on their talisman to save the day with two precise efforts. This was the case at Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and once more against United.

Rogers' first goal came from a brilliant finish, bent just inside the goal frame from a wide position. His brace-completing goal was essentially a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.

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

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opponents managed more shots and more shots on target. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those matches.

Regression to the mean may well be the biggest rival the club must confront over the coming weeks. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot keep on drilling the ball into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Could it be an alternative path where, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward might resume scoring again.
• The winger may rediscover the player he resembled during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a periodically leaky defence.

This could contain the potential of a genuine bid, but they surely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this is a surprise. Nobody thought Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And certainly back in October, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title and appearing as a vital Three Lions star.

This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. As the hero faced the home supporters at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.