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A mere eight weeks ago that the young forward stood on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager admonished him over not reading a pass in behind. During that period, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his performances were an indicator or a cause for Villa's broader struggles.

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

On Sunday, however, the sideline response proved to be decidedly more positive. When the in-form star swept in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate the lead for Villa, the boss ripped off his winter coat, opened his arms and bellowed. Villa marched on to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, find themselves only three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Title Contenders?

This is a particularly tough question to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, indicates otherwise. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the positive results have stacked up.

According to statistical analysis, in only two games has the team had an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a side that have just won 10 in a row, Villa seem curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the margins are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy appears to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened at Leeds, it transpired in London, and again when facing United.

His opener originated from an exquisite effort, curled right inside the post from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of his first 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?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, Manchester United managed a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. The team has secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those games.

Regression to the mean could be the biggest rival Villa will encounter in the near future. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain blasting the ball into the top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures might still return to peak condition.

• The main striker may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the performer he showed in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are set to regain fitness, fortifying a sometimes shaky defence.

This could contain the seeds for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. Nobody thought the team would sit in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt two months ago, few could imagine Rogers now would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title and appearing as an essential player for the national team.

This remarkable period must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. When Rogers stood in front of the Villa faithful after the match orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.