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A mere eight weeks in the past that the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager admonished him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. During that period, as Villa went six without a win, the question was if Rogers' form were a sign or the reason of Villa's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, though, the sideline response was decidedly more positive. After the England international swept in his second to restore Villa's lead, the boss tore off his winter coat, spread his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club were on their way to a 10th successive win , after failing to win their opening six games, find themselves a mere three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Hopefuls?

This is an exceptionally difficult question to resolve. Past precedent, the perceived status of the club, argues against it. Furthermore, they've rarely been wholly dominant this season, even as the positive results have piled up.

Per the data, twice all season has the team registered an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a side which has put together ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear strangely fragile – yet at the moment the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy looks like to engage in a shootout with rivals before hoping their talisman to save the day with some precise efforts. This occurred away to Leeds, it transpired in London, and once more against United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a superb shot, curled right inside the post from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal acted as a slight scruffier version of goal number one capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

“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?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opposition had a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all but one of those games.

A statistical correction might be the biggest rival the club must confront over the coming weeks. Their key man, surely, cannot keep on blasting the football into the net's top corner forever.

Potential for Growth

Could it be a different scenario where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players might still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward might resume adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the player he was in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the potential for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Aston Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely back in October, no one envisioned the young forward by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge while looking like an essential England player.

The current run must be cherished exactly since it appears so improbable. When Rogers faced the home supporters at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.