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It was 60 days in the past that the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while his coach berated him for missing a pass in behind. During that period, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained whether his performances were an indicator or the reason for Villa's wider issues.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the touchline reaction was much more joyous. As the in-form star swept in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim Villa's lead, the boss ripped off his jacket, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, are somehow just three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Title Contenders?

This is a particularly tough query to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, suggests not. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant in many games, while the victories have accumulated.

As per statistical analysis, twice all season has the team had an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a club which has strung together ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear strangely fragile – but at the moment the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with the opposition and wait for Rogers to bail them out with some crisp finishes. This was the case away to Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and once more when facing the Red Devils.

The initial strike originated from a superb shot, arced just inside the goal frame from a wide position. The follow-up goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.

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

How Long Can This Continue?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opposition registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those games.

Regression to the mean could be the most significant challenge the club will encounter over the coming weeks. Their key man, almost certainly, will not continue to blasting the football into the top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Could it be another reality where, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures could still find their top level.

• The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
• The winger may rediscover the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to regain fitness, strengthening a periodically leaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, this is a surprise. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And certainly back in October, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be spearheading a title charge and appearing as an essential Three Lions star.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. As the hero stood in front of the home supporters after the match conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.