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A mere two months prior that the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while Unai Emery admonished him over not reading a penetrating pass. During that period, as the club failed to win in six, it wasn't clear whether his displays were an indicator or a cause of the side's wider issues.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the touchline reaction was decidedly more positive. After Rogers swept in his second strike to restore Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician ripped off his coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The team were on their way to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win any of their first six matches, find themselves just three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Hopefuls?

That’s a rather hard question to address. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Additionally, they have not been wholly dominant this season, despite the fact the wins have piled up.

Per Opta, on just two occasions have Villa registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a side that have put together a ten-match winning streak, they appear strangely fragile – yet right now the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and wait for Rogers to save the day with some clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and it happened versus the Red Devils.

His opener came from a brilliant finish, bent right inside the upright from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

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

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, the opposition managed more shots and more shots on target. Villa have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those matches.

Regression to the mean may well be the most significant challenge Villa will encounter in the near future. Rogers, almost certainly, will not continue to drilling his shots past despairing goalkeepers forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is an alternative path whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures may yet rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward may begin to scoring again.
• The attacking talent might become the performer he was in Germany.
• The defensive duo are set to regain fitness, fortifying a sometimes shaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the possibility of a title challenge, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, this is a surprise. Nobody thought the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely earlier this season, no one envisioned Rogers now would be at the forefront of a title charge while establishing himself as a crucial player for the national team.

The current run must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. As the hero stood in front of the Villa faithful after the match orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.