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It was eight weeks prior that the Villa attacker was standing on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager admonished him over missing a pass in behind. Back then, with the team went six without a win, the question was whether his performances were a sign or the source of the side's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, though, the sideline response was decidedly more positive. As Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to reclaim his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician tore off his jacket, spread his arms and roared. The Birmingham club marched on to a 10th successive win and after failing to win any of their first six games, now sit just three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?

This is an exceptionally difficult question to answer. Past precedent, the traditional standing of the club, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they have not been wholly dominant this season, even as the wins have piled up.

As per statistical analysis, in only two games have Villa posted an xG significantly higher than the other team. For a team which has just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa seem curiously susceptible – however right now the margins are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic appears to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and wait for their star man to save the day with two crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and once more when facing the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal originated from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the upright from the corner of the box. For his second acted as a slightly less clean iteration of the opener capitalizing 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, Manchester United managed a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those fixtures.

A reversion to average may well be the greatest opponent Villa have to face over the coming weeks. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers forever.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists an alternative path where, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures could still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins might resume scoring again.
• The attacking talent might become the player he was during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs are set to return from injury, strengthening a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the potential of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable the team would sit in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt back in October, nobody thought the midfielder by the end of the year would be leading a hunt for the title while looking like an essential Three Lions star.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed precisely because it appears so improbable. When Rogers stood in front of the home supporters when the game ended conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are rare in football and must be appreciated.