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Just two months prior when the young forward stood on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while his coach scolded him for missing a through-ball. At that point, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his performances were an indicator or the reason of the team's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the manager's outburst proved to be much more joyous. When Rogers curled home his second to restore his side's advantage, Emery discarded his coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team continued to ten wins in a row and despite not winning their initial half-dozen matches, are somehow a mere three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?

This is a rather hard question to resolve. The historical record, the traditional standing of the club, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they've rarely been wholly dominant during this run, even as the victories have piled up.

As per the data, twice all season has the side had an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a club who have put together ten consecutive victories, Villa seem strangely fragile – yet currently the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition and then rely on their star man to bail them out with two precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again against United.

Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, curled right inside the upright from the edge of the area. For his second acted as a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opposition had a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. They have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all except one of those games.

A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival they will encounter over the coming weeks. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot maintain thrashing his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is another reality where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players could still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker might resume finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the player he resembled during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs are due to return from injury, bolstering a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely two months ago, few could imagine Rogers by the end of the year would be leading a title charge while looking like a vital Three Lions star.

The current run should be enjoyed exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner faced the North End after the match conducting the cheers, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and must be appreciated.