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It was eight weeks prior that the young forward stood on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager berated him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. During that period, as Villa failed to win in six, it wasn't clear whether his displays were a symptom or the source of the team's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, though, the manager's outburst proved to be far more favourable. When the in-form star curled home his second strike to reclaim Villa's lead, the boss discarded his winter coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club were on their way to a 10th successive win , having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, now sit a mere three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?

That’s a particularly tough proposition to resolve. History, a general sense of this institution, suggests not. Additionally, they have not been completely commanding in many games, even as the positive results have piled up.

Per the data, in only two games has the side had an xG more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a team that have just won ten consecutive victories, the Villans seem weirdly vulnerable – yet right now the margins are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent before hoping Rogers to bail them out with two precise efforts. This occurred away to Leeds, it transpired in London, and again against United.

His opener came from an exquisite effort, bent right inside the post from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

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

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opponents managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those matches.

Regression to the mean may well be the most significant challenge they have to face in the near future. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain thrashing the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Could it be a different scenario whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players might still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
• The winger might become the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are set to return from injury, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Maybe within that lies the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt earlier this season, few could imagine the midfielder now would be leading a championship pursuit and appearing as a crucial player for the national team.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed exactly since it appears so improbable. When Rogers stood in front of the North End at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These runs of form are rare in football and must be appreciated.