It was eight weeks in the past when the young forward stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as Unai Emery scolded him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if his displays were a symptom or a cause of the team's wider issues.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
This weekend, however, the touchline reaction was much more joyous. As Rogers swept in his second to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician tore off his winter coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa continued to a 10th successive win and having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, find themselves only three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.
It remains an exceptionally difficult question to resolve. Past precedent, the perceived status of the club, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they've rarely been wholly dominant during this run, even as the wins have stacked up.
As per statistical analysis, in only two games has the team registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a team which has put together a ten-match winning streak, Villa seem strangely fragile – but right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.
The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on their talisman to save the day with two clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened versus the Red Devils.
Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, arced right inside the upright from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of the opener as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.
“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”
Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opponents had more shots and more direct attempts. They have won each of their last eight by just one goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those matches.
A reversion to average could be the biggest rival they will encounter as the season progresses. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot maintain blasting the ball past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.
Could it be an alternative path whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.
Maybe within that lies the possibility for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on a single individual.
However, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would be third at Christmas. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned the midfielder as the year closed would be leading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a crucial England player.
The current run must be cherished for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As the match-winner stood in front of the home supporters after the match conducting the cheers, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.
A tech journalist with over a decade of experience covering emerging technologies and digital innovation across global markets.
