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A mere 60 days prior when the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while his coach berated him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. During that period, with the team went six without a win, it wasn't clear whether his performances were an indicator or the source for the team's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, though, the manager's outburst was much more joyous. When Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician tore off his coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club marched on to a 10th successive win , after failing to win any of their first six matches, are somehow just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?

It remains a particularly tough question to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, argues against it. Additionally, they've rarely been completely commanding during this run, despite the fact the wins have stacked up.

As per the data, in only two games has the team registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a side which has put together ten consecutive victories, they seem curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the margins are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and wait for their star man to save the day with some precise efforts. This occurred against Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and it happened when facing the Red Devils.

The initial strike stemmed from an exquisite effort, bent precisely inside the goal frame from a wide position. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of the opener 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opposition managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all except one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean may well be the biggest rival the club must confront over the coming weeks. Rogers, surely, will not continue to thrashing the ball into the top corner week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Could it be an alternative path in which, rather than luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins could start adding to his goal tally.
• The winger might become the player he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.

Savoring the Moment

However, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought the team would sit in a Champions League place in December. And certainly back in October, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be leading a title charge while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.

The current run is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.