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Just eight weeks ago when the young forward stood on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager admonished him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. Back then, as Villa failed to win in six, the question was whether his performances were a sign or the source for Villa's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, however, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. As the in-form star curled home his second strike to reinstate his side's advantage, Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide and roared. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning their opening six matches, are somehow just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Title Contenders?

This is an exceptionally difficult proposition to answer. The historical record, the traditional standing of this institution, argues against it. Furthermore, they have not been completely commanding during this run, even as the victories have accumulated.

As per the data, on just two occasions have Villa registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a side which has strung together 10 in a row, they look strangely fragile – but right now the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with rivals and wait for their star man to bail them out with two precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened versus United.

His opener came from an exquisite effort, bent right inside the post from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of the opener as he pounced 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.”

Can It Last?

Logic says not. In the recent win, Manchester United registered a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all but one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction might be the greatest opponent Villa will encounter in the near future. The forward, surely, cannot keep on thrashing his shots past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is an alternative path where, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players might still find their top level.

• The centre-forward may begin to scoring again.
• The winger could transform into the player he resembled during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to regain fitness, fortifying a sometimes shaky backline.

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

Savoring the Moment

But then, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Villa would sit third at Christmas. And without a doubt back in October, few could imagine the young forward by the end of the year would be spearheading a title charge and appearing as a crucial England player.

The current run is to be savoured precisely because it seems so surreal. When the match-winner stood in front of the home supporters after the match conducting the cheers, it was clear to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. Such periods are rare in football and should be relished.