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It was two months ago when the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as the Villa manager scolded him for not reading a penetrating pass. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, the question was whether his performances were a sign or a cause for Villa's broader struggles.

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

On Sunday, in contrast, the sideline response proved to be much more joyous. When the in-form star drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim his side's advantage, Emery discarded his winter coat, opened his arms and roared. Villa continued to a 10th successive win , despite not winning any of their first six games, find themselves just three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Title Contenders?

That’s a rather hard proposition to resolve. History, the perceived status of this institution, argues against it. Additionally, they've rarely been entirely convincing during this run, even as the wins have piled up.

According to Opta, in only two games has the side had an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a club that have put together ten consecutive victories, they look strangely fragile – yet right now the margins are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach seems to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and then rely on their star man to rescue them with some precise efforts. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired in London, and once more against United.

Rogers' first goal originated from a brilliant finish, bent just inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, Manchester United managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all except one of those games.

A reversion to average may well be the greatest opponent the club have to face in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, will not continue to drilling his shots past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Could it be an alternative path where, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins could start adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent might become the force he resembled during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a sometimes shaky backline.

This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

However, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be leading a title charge while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.

The current run must be cherished precisely because it appears so improbable. When the match-winner faced the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.