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Just two months in the past when the young forward found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as Unai Emery admonished him for not reading a through-ball. Back then, as the club endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if Rogers' form were a sign or a cause for the side's broader struggles.

“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 entirely decidedly more positive. After Rogers curled home his second strike to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, opened his arms and roared. The Birmingham club were on their way to a 10th successive win and after failing to win their initial half-dozen games, are somehow just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Serious Title Contenders?

It remains a particularly tough proposition to address. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been entirely convincing in many games, even as the victories have accumulated.

According to Opta, twice all season has the side had an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a side that have put together ten consecutive victories, the Villans look weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic seems to be to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on Rogers to save the day with a couple of crisp finishes. This was the case at Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and it happened versus Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal came from an exquisite effort, arced precisely inside the upright from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, Manchester United registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean might be the greatest opponent the club must confront as the season progresses. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot maintain blasting the ball into the top corner week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists an alternative path whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures might still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins might resume finding the net regularly.
• The winger might become the force he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually return from injury, bolstering a periodically leaky backline.

Maybe within that lies the potential for a sustained push, but they surely cannot keep relying on one man.

Savoring the Moment

But then, this was unforeseen. Few believed Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt back in October, no one envisioned the young forward now would be spearheading a title charge and appearing as a crucial Three Lions star.

The current run must be cherished precisely because it feels so unlikely. As Rogers faced the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These spells are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.