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A mere 60 days prior that the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while his coach berated him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. During that period, as the club went six without a win, the question was if Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause for Villa'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 manager's outburst proved to be far more favourable. When the England international curled home his second strike to restore the lead for Villa, the boss discarded his coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club were on their way to ten wins in a row and having failed to win any of their first six games, are somehow just three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Challengers?

It remains a rather hard proposition to address. History, the traditional standing of this institution, suggests not. Furthermore, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the victories have accumulated.

Per the data, in only two games has the side posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a team who have just won a ten-match winning streak, they appear curiously susceptible – but right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy appears to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition and then rely on their star man to bail them out with some precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and once more when facing Manchester United.

The initial strike originated from a brilliant finish, bent precisely inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of the opener capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opponents registered more efforts and more direct attempts. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those matches.

A statistical correction might be the biggest rival Villa will encounter as the season progresses. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot keep on blasting the football past despairing goalkeepers forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists another reality in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the player he resembled during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs are due to regain fitness, fortifying a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a title challenge, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this is a surprise. Few believed Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And certainly two months ago, few could imagine Rogers now would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.

This remarkable period is to be savoured precisely because it appears so improbable. As the hero positioned himself before the home supporters after the match orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are rare in football and should be relished.