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A mere eight weeks prior that the Villa attacker found himself on the Sunderland turf, looking confused as his coach berated him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. During that period, as Villa failed to win in six, doubts remained if his displays were a symptom or the reason of the team's wider issues.

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

This weekend, though, the sideline response was entirely far more favourable. When Rogers curled home his second strike to reclaim Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. The Birmingham club continued to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, now sit a mere three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Challengers?

This is a particularly tough query to address. The historical record, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they have not been wholly dominant during this run, even as the positive results have piled up.

As per statistical analysis, in only two games has the team posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a club who have just won 10 in a row, the Villans look strangely fragile – but at the moment the margins are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic seems to be to trade blows with the opposition before hoping their talisman to rescue them with a couple of crisp finishes. It happened against Leeds, it transpired in London, and again when facing United.

His opener originated from a superb shot, bent just inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of his first capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

“Perhaps Rogers’ right foot is becoming like Arjen Robben’s left: just because you know he’s going to whip the ball into the top corner doesn’t mean you can stop him.”

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opposition registered a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. They have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those games.

A statistical correction might be the greatest opponent they must confront as the season progresses. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot keep on drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers forever.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures might still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward may begin to scoring again.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the force he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to return from injury, strengthening a sometimes shaky defence.

This could contain the seeds of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And certainly back in October, few could imagine the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a title charge while looking like an essential England player.

The current run must be cherished precisely because it seems so surreal. When the match-winner stood in front of the home supporters after the match leading the celebrations, he appeared to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.