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It was two months prior that the young forward found himself on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while the Villa manager scolded him over missing a penetrating pass. At that point, as Villa failed to win in six, doubts remained whether his displays were a sign or the reason of the side's more general malaise.

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

On Sunday, however, the sideline response was far more favourable. After Rogers drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim the lead for Villa, the boss ripped off his jacket, opened his arms and bellowed. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row and having failed to win any of their first six games, are somehow a mere three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Hopefuls?

This is an exceptionally difficult question to resolve. Past precedent, the perceived status of the club, argues against it. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing in many games, while the wins have piled up.

According to Opta, on just two occasions has the side had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a team that have just won a ten-match winning streak, the Villans seem strangely fragile – however currently the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy looks like to engage in a shootout with the opposition and then rely on their star man to save the day with two crisp finishes. This was the case away to Leeds, it occurred in London, and it happened versus United.

The initial strike came from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the post from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he seized 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.”

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opponents registered more efforts and more direct attempts. The team has secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those fixtures.

A reversion to average might be the greatest opponent they have to face in the near future. Their key man, in all likelihood, will not continue to drilling the ball into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists a different scenario where, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players might still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward might resume scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho might become the performer he was in Germany.
• The defensive duo will eventually return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the potential for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt back in October, nobody thought Rogers now would be leading a championship pursuit while looking like a vital player for the national team.

This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As the match-winner positioned himself before the home supporters when the game ended conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These spells are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.