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It was two months prior when the young forward was standing on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager scolded him for missing a penetrating pass. During that period, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were an indicator or the source for the team's wider issues.

“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”

This weekend, however, the sideline response proved to be decidedly more positive. After the in-form star swept in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate Villa's lead, the boss ripped off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The team were on their way to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning any of their first six fixtures, find themselves only three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Hopefuls?

That’s an exceptionally difficult proposition to answer. Past precedent, the perceived status of Villa, argues against it. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant this season, despite the fact the victories have accumulated.

As per the data, on just two occasions have Villa registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a side who have just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – however currently the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic appears to be to trade blows with rivals before hoping their talisman to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. This was the case away to Leeds, it occurred in London, and it happened when facing Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal came from a brilliant finish, arced right inside the post from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he seized 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opposition had a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those fixtures.

A reversion to average might be the greatest opponent the club must confront as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, cannot maintain blasting the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists an alternative path whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures might still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker might resume finding the net regularly.
• The winger may rediscover the force he resembled during his peak.
• The defensive duo are set to return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt two months ago, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be spearheading a championship pursuit and appearing as a crucial player for the national team.

This winning streak must be cherished exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the hero stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are rare in football and must be appreciated.