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It was eight weeks prior when the young forward was standing on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while his coach berated him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. Back then, with the team went six without a win, it wasn't clear whether his performances were a sign or the reason of the team's broader struggles.

“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”

This weekend, however, the manager's outburst proved to be far more favourable. After the in-form star curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician ripped off his jacket, spread his arms and bellowed. Villa continued to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win any of their first six matches, are somehow a mere three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Hopefuls?

This is a rather hard question to address. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, argues against it. Additionally, they have not been wholly dominant this season, despite the fact the victories have piled up.

According to the data, twice all season has the side had an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a side that have strung together ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear strangely fragile – however currently the margins are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and then rely on their star man to save the day with some precise efforts. This was the case against Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and once more against the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a brilliant finish, arced right inside the upright from a wide position. For his second proved to be a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he seized 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opponents registered more shots and more shots on target. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those matches.

Regression to the mean could be the biggest rival they will encounter in the near future. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot keep on blasting his shots into the net's top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Could it be another reality in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures may yet rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins could start finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the potential of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought the team would be in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, nobody thought Rogers by the end of the year would be leading a title charge and appearing as an essential England player.

This winning streak is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner faced the home supporters when the game ended leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and must be appreciated.