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Just 60 days ago when the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as his coach admonished him for missing a pass in behind. During that period, with the team endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his displays were a sign or the source for the side's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, however, the manager's outburst was far more favourable. After the in-form star curled home his second to reclaim his side's advantage, the boss discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. The team marched on to ten wins in a row , despite not winning their initial half-dozen matches, are somehow a mere three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Challengers?

That’s a particularly tough proposition to answer. History, a general sense of this institution, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been completely commanding during this run, despite the fact the victories have accumulated.

Per statistical analysis, on just two occasions have Villa registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a team that have strung together 10 in a row, they look weirdly vulnerable – however right now the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic looks like to trade blows with rivals before hoping their talisman to rescue them with some crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and once more against the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, arced precisely inside the goal frame from a wide position. For his second acted as a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he seized 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. Against United, Manchester United managed a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. Villa have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those games.

Regression to the mean might be the most significant challenge Villa must confront in the near future. The forward, surely, will not continue to drilling his shots past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is a different scenario whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players might still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins could start adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the player he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are due to return from injury, fortifying a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a genuine bid, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable the team would be in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward now would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial player for the national team.

This winning streak should be enjoyed for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the hero stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.