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It was two months in the past when the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as the Villa manager scolded him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. During that period, with the team went six without a win, the question was whether Rogers' form were an indicator or a cause for the team's broader struggles.

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

In the latest match, though, the touchline reaction proved to be much more joyous. After the England international curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore the lead for Villa, the boss ripped off his winter coat, spread his arms and bellowed. The team continued to ten wins in a row and having failed to win any of their first six matches, now sit just three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Serious Challengers?

This is a particularly tough question to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they have not been entirely convincing this season, while the victories have stacked up.

According to the data, in only two games has the side posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a team that have put together a ten-match winning streak, Villa seem strangely fragile – but at the moment the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic seems to be to trade blows with an opponent before hoping their talisman to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and once more when facing Manchester United.

The initial strike originated from a superb shot, curled just inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal was essentially a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opponents had more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all but one of those games.

A reversion to average might be the most significant challenge Villa will encounter as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on thrashing the football into the top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Could it be an alternative path whereby, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward could start scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the player he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are due to regain fitness, fortifying a sometimes shaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the potential for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. Nobody thought the team would be in the top three for the holidays. And certainly earlier this season, few could imagine the young forward by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge while establishing himself as a crucial player for the national team.

The current run is to be savoured precisely because it seems so surreal. When Rogers faced the home supporters after the match conducting the cheers, he appeared to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.