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A mere two months ago that the Villa attacker stood on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while his coach berated him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. During that period, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his performances were an indicator or the reason of Villa's broader struggles.

“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”

This weekend, though, the manager's outburst proved to be decidedly more positive. After the England international swept in his second strike to reclaim his side's advantage, the boss ripped off his coat, threw his arms wide and roared. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win any of their first six matches, are somehow only three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?

This is a particularly tough query to address. The historical record, a general sense of the club, suggests not. Furthermore, they've rarely been entirely convincing in many games, despite the fact the positive results have accumulated.

According to statistical analysis, twice all season has the team posted an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a team which has just won ten consecutive victories, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – yet currently the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach looks like to exchange chances with rivals and wait for their star man to bail them out with some precise efforts. This occurred against Leeds, it happened in London, and again versus the Red Devils.

The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, arced right inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.

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

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opposition had more efforts and more shots on target. They have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all but one of those matches.

A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent they will encounter over the coming weeks. Rogers, surely, will not continue to blasting the football into the top corner forever.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is another reality whereby, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still find their top level.

• The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the performer he was during his peak.
• The defensive duo are due to return from injury, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defence.

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

Savoring the Moment

But then, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Aston Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought Rogers as the year closed would be leading a title charge while looking like a crucial player for the national team.

This winning streak must be cherished for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the match-winner faced the Villa faithful after the match orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.