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A mere two months ago when the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while his coach admonished him over missing a pass in behind. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained whether his displays were a sign or a cause of the team's broader struggles.

“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”

On Sunday, though, the manager's outburst was far more favourable. After the England international curled home his second to reclaim the lead for Villa, Emery discarded his jacket, spread his arms and roared. Villa marched on to ten wins in a row , having failed to win their opening six fixtures, find themselves just three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Challengers?

That’s a particularly tough question to answer. History, the perceived status of this institution, suggests not. Furthermore, they've rarely been wholly dominant this season, while the positive results have piled up.

As per the data, on just two occasions has the side had an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a side that have put together ten consecutive victories, they seem curiously susceptible – but right now the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic appears to be to trade blows with an opponent and then rely on their star man to bail them out with some clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and again against United.

Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the upright from a wide position. For his second acted as a somewhat messier replica of his first as he pounced 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, Manchester United had more shots and more direct attempts. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all except one of those matches.

A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent they will encounter over the coming weeks. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot keep on blasting the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists a different scenario where, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures may yet rediscover their best form.

• The main striker might resume finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are set to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the possibility for a sustained push, but they surely cannot keep relying on one man.

Savoring the Moment

But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would sit third at Christmas. And without a doubt two months ago, few could imagine the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a title charge while looking like a vital player for the national team.

The current run must be cherished for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. As the hero faced the Villa faithful after the match conducting the cheers, he seemed to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.