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Just 60 days in the past when the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager admonished him for not reading a pass in behind. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained whether his performances were a sign or the source for Villa's wider issues.

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

In the latest match, however, the touchline reaction was far more favourable. After the England international curled home his second strike to restore his side's advantage, the boss tore off his coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The team were on their way to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win their opening six matches, are somehow only three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Title Contenders?

It remains a rather hard question to resolve. History, the traditional standing of this institution, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing in many games, even as the positive results have piled up.

Per statistical analysis, in only two games has the side posted an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a team who have strung together a ten-match winning streak, they appear weirdly vulnerable – but currently the margins are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and once more against United.

His opener came from a brilliant finish, curled right inside the upright from the edge of the area. For his second acted as a slight scruffier version of the opener as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

“Perhaps Rogers’ right foot is becoming like Arjen Robben’s left: just because you know he’s going to whip the ball into the top corner doesn’t mean you can stop him.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opposition managed more efforts and more shots on target. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those matches.

A reversion to average could be the biggest rival Villa have to face over the coming weeks. Their key man, surely, will not continue to drilling his shots into the top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players might still return to peak condition.

• The main striker might resume scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the performer he showed during his peak.
• The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, fortifying a sometimes shaky backline.

This could contain the potential of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt earlier this season, few could imagine the young forward by the end of the year would be spearheading a championship pursuit while looking like a vital England player.

The current run must be cherished precisely because it feels so unlikely. When Rogers stood in front of the North End when the game ended leading the celebrations, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.