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It was eight weeks prior when the young forward stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager admonished him for missing a penetrating pass. Back then, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained whether his performances were a sign or the reason of Villa's wider issues.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the touchline reaction proved to be much more joyous. As the in-form star swept in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim the lead for Villa, Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The team continued to a tenth straight victory and despite not winning their opening six fixtures, are somehow only three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Serious Title Contenders?

This is a rather hard query to resolve. The historical record, the perceived status of Villa, suggests not. Moreover, their performances haven't been completely commanding this season, while the victories have stacked up.

Per Opta, twice all season has the side registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a team that have strung together ten consecutive victories, they appear weirdly vulnerable – but right now the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy looks like to trade blows with an opponent and wait for their talisman to rescue them with two precise efforts. This occurred at Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and again against Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from an exquisite effort, bent precisely inside the post from a wide position. The follow-up goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one capitalizing 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?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, Manchester United registered more efforts and more shots on target. The team has won each of their last eight by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.

A reversion to average may well be the biggest rival Villa will encounter over the coming weeks. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot keep on thrashing the football into the top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is an alternative path in which, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures could still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins could start finding the net regularly.
• The winger could transform into the player he showed in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a sometimes shaky backline.

Maybe within that lies the possibility for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable the team would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.

This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. When Rogers stood in front of the North End when the game ended conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.