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Just 60 days prior when the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager scolded him for missing a pass in behind. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained if his performances were a sign or a cause of the team's more general malaise.

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

On Sunday, though, the touchline reaction proved to be much more joyous. When Rogers curled home his second to reclaim his side's advantage, Emery ripped off his winter coat, spread his arms and roared. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row , having failed to win any of their first six matches, now sit only three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Title Contenders?

That’s a rather hard query to address. Past precedent, the perceived status of the club, suggests not. Additionally, they've rarely been entirely convincing during this run, while the victories have accumulated.

According to the data, twice all season has the side registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a club which has put together ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the fine lines are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy looks like to trade blows with rivals and wait for their talisman to bail them out with some clinical strikes. This occurred away to Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened against Manchester United.

His opener stemmed from a superb shot, arced right inside the post from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of his first capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

“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.”

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opposition had a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. They have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean could be the most significant challenge the club will encounter in the near future. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot keep on blasting his shots past despairing goalkeepers forever.

A Case for Belief

Could it be a different scenario where, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins might resume finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho might become the performer he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are due to return from injury, strengthening a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought the team would be in a Champions League place in December. And certainly back in October, nobody thought Rogers now would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a crucial England player.

The current run should be enjoyed for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the match-winner stood in front of the home supporters after the match leading the celebrations, it was clear to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These spells are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.