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Just 60 days ago that the young forward found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while his coach admonished him over missing a pass in behind. At that point, as the club endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether his performances were a sign or the source for Villa's more general malaise.

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

In the latest match, however, the sideline response was far more favourable. As the in-form star curled home his second strike to restore the lead for Villa, Emery tore off his jacket, spread his arms and roared. The team marched on to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, find themselves just three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Challengers?

That’s a particularly tough query to address. History, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant this season, even as the victories have piled up.

As per Opta, on just two occasions has the team had an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a team which has just won ten consecutive victories, the Villans look strangely fragile – however right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy looks like to engage in a shootout with the opposition and wait for their star man to bail them out with two precise efforts. This was the case against Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and it happened against Manchester United.

The initial strike came from a superb shot, curled right inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. For his second acted as a slight scruffier version of his first as he pounced 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?

Logic says not. In the recent win, Manchester United managed more efforts and more direct attempts. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all except one of those matches.

A statistical correction might be the most significant challenge Villa have to face in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, will not continue to thrashing the football into the top corner forever.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is another reality in which, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still return to peak condition.

• The main striker might resume adding to his goal tally.
• The winger could transform into the force he showed during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually return from injury, fortifying a sometimes shaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And certainly back in October, nobody thought Rogers now would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as an essential Three Lions star.

The current run is to be savoured for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. As Rogers positioned himself before the Villa faithful after the match orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These spells do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.