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Just 60 days ago when the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as the Villa manager berated him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, the question was whether his displays were an indicator or the source for Villa's wider issues.

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

This weekend, however, the touchline reaction was entirely much more joyous. After the England international drilled in his second strike to reclaim his side's advantage, Emery discarded his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The team continued to ten wins in a row and despite not winning any of their first six games, find themselves only three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Serious Challengers?

It remains a particularly tough query to answer. History, a general sense of this institution, indicates otherwise. Additionally, their performances haven't been wholly dominant this season, even as the positive results have accumulated.

Per the data, twice all season has the team registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a side which has strung together 10 in a row, Villa look strangely fragile – however right now the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach seems to be to trade blows with rivals and then rely on their talisman to rescue them with two precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and once more when facing Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the goal frame from a wide position. The follow-up goal acted as a slight scruffier version of his first capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, Manchester United had a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all but one of those games.

A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival they must confront over the coming weeks. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be a different scenario in which, rather than luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward might resume scoring again.
• The attacking talent could transform into the performer he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the possibility for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, few could imagine the midfielder by the end of the year would be spearheading a title charge and appearing as a crucial Three Lions star.

This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As Rogers stood in front of the North End at the final whistle leading the celebrations, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.