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It was two months prior when the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as his coach admonished him over missing a penetrating pass. At that point, as the club went six without a win, doubts remained if his displays were an indicator or a cause of the team's wider issues.

“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 sideline response was entirely much more joyous. As the in-form star curled home his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, the boss discarded his winter coat, spread his arms and bellowed. The team continued to a 10th successive win and having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, are somehow just three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?

That’s a rather hard question to resolve. Past precedent, the traditional standing of this institution, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they've rarely been entirely convincing during this run, while the wins have accumulated.

According to the data, twice all season have Villa posted an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a side which has just won a ten-match winning streak, the Villans seem strangely fragile – but at the moment the margins are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic seems to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition and wait for Rogers to save the day with a couple of precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened when facing United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a superb shot, bent just inside the post from a wide position. For his second proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

“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?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opponents managed a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. The team has secured their last eight victories by a single goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those games.

Regression to the mean could be the biggest rival they must confront over the coming weeks. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot maintain thrashing the ball into the top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Could it be a different scenario where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The winger might become the player he resembled during his peak.
• The defensive duo will eventually return from injury, strengthening a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, but they surely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this was unforeseen. Few believed Aston Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And certainly back in October, nobody thought the midfielder now would be spearheading a championship pursuit while looking like a vital Three Lions star.

This winning streak should be enjoyed for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the hero stood in front of the home supporters at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he appeared to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.