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It was 60 days in the past when the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager scolded him for not reading a through-ball. At that point, as the club endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if his displays were an indicator or the source for Villa'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 manager's outburst was entirely much more joyous. As the England international swept in his second to restore Villa's lead, Emery tore off his winter coat, spread his arms and bellowed. The team were on their way to ten wins in a row , after failing to win any of their first six matches, are somehow just three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Challengers?

It remains a particularly tough query to answer. The historical record, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Additionally, they've rarely been wholly dominant this season, even as the victories have piled up.

Per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the team posted an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a team who have strung together ten consecutive victories, the Villans look curiously susceptible – but right now the fine lines are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with the opposition before hoping their talisman to save the day with two clinical strikes. This occurred away to Leeds, it transpired in London, and once more against the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, arced right inside the goal frame from a wide position. For his second acted as a somewhat messier replica of his first as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

Can It Last?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opponents had a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all except one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean might be the greatest opponent the club have to face over the coming weeks. Rogers, surely, will not continue to drilling his shots past despairing goalkeepers forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists another reality in which, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the force he resembled in Germany.
• The defensive duo are set to return from injury, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, nobody thought Rogers now would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while looking like an essential Three Lions star.

This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. As the hero faced the Villa faithful at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.