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Just two months ago that the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while his coach admonished him for missing a pass in behind. During that period, as the club failed to win in six, doubts remained if his performances were a symptom or a cause of Villa's more general malaise.

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

In the latest match, in contrast, the touchline reaction was entirely much more joyous. When Rogers drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician discarded his coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The team marched on to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win their opening six matches, are somehow a mere three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Challengers?

This is an exceptionally difficult proposition to answer. History, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Furthermore, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the positive results have accumulated.

Per statistical analysis, twice all season have Villa registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a side who have just won ten consecutive victories, Villa seem weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy appears to be to trade blows with the opposition and wait for their talisman to rescue them with a couple of precise efforts. This occurred away to Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again against Manchester United.

His opener stemmed from a brilliant finish, curled right inside the upright from a wide position. For his second proved to be a somewhat messier replica of his first as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

Can It Last?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opponents registered more shots and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction might be the most significant challenge they will encounter as the season progresses. The forward, surely, cannot keep on drilling the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is another reality where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players may yet find their top level.

• The main striker might resume scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho might become the player he showed in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are due to return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this was unforeseen. Few believed the team would sit in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt back in October, no one envisioned the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial England player.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As the match-winner stood in front of the North End when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.