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Just eight weeks in the past when the young forward stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as his coach admonished him over missing a through-ball. During that period, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were a sign or the reason for Villa's broader struggles.

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

On Sunday, though, the touchline reaction was much more joyous. After the in-form star drilled in his second to restore the lead for Villa, Emery discarded his coat, spread his arms and roared. The team marched on to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win any of their first six games, find themselves a mere three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Challengers?

This is an exceptionally difficult proposition to answer. History, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Moreover, their performances haven't been entirely convincing during this run, even as the positive results have piled up.

As per Opta, on just two occasions has the team had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a team that have just won ten consecutive victories, the Villans seem curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the margins are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy seems to be to exchange chances with rivals before hoping their star man to rescue them with some crisp finishes. This occurred against Leeds, it happened in London, and again against the Red Devils.

His opener came from a brilliant finish, arced just inside the upright from the edge of the area. For his second acted as a slight scruffier version of his first capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.

“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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opposition registered a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those matches.

Regression to the mean may well be the greatest opponent Villa must confront as the season progresses. Rogers, surely, will not continue to blasting the football into the net's top corner forever.

Potential for Growth

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 may yet return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward might resume adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.

This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as a vital Three Lions star.

The current run must be cherished exactly since it appears so improbable. As the match-winner faced the Villa faithful when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and must be appreciated.