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It was 60 days in the past that the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while his coach berated him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his performances were a sign or the source of Villa's wider issues.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the touchline reaction was decidedly more positive. When the in-form star curled home his brace-sealing goal to reclaim the lead for Villa, Emery ripped off his jacket, opened his arms and roared. Villa marched on to ten wins in a row , having failed to win their opening six games, find themselves a mere three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Serious Hopefuls?

This is a rather hard proposition to answer. Past precedent, the traditional standing of this institution, suggests not. Furthermore, they have not been completely commanding this season, even as the positive results have accumulated.

As per statistical analysis, twice all season has the side had an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a side who have just won ten consecutive victories, they appear weirdly vulnerable – however at the moment the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach looks like to engage in a shootout with the opposition before hoping their star man to bail them out with some crisp finishes. It happened away to Leeds, it transpired in London, and once more against Manchester United.

The initial strike stemmed from a superb shot, arced precisely inside the upright from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opposition managed more efforts and more direct attempts. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those games.

A reversion to average could be the most significant challenge the club have to face over the coming weeks. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers forever.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists an alternative path in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are set to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a sometimes shaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable the team would sit third at Christmas. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the midfielder as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit and appearing as an essential England player.

This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When Rogers stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended leading the celebrations, he appeared to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells do not happen often and should be relished.