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Just 60 days ago when the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while the Villa manager scolded him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. Back then, as Villa went six without a win, the question was if 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.”

On Sunday, however, the sideline response proved to be much more joyous. When Rogers swept in his second to reinstate Villa's lead, the boss discarded his coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The team continued to a 10th successive win , having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, now sit just three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Title Contenders?

That’s an exceptionally difficult query to address. History, a general sense of the club, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been wholly dominant this season, despite the fact the victories have stacked up.

As per statistical analysis, in only two games has the side posted an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a club that have put together ten consecutive victories, they seem weirdly vulnerable – but currently the fine lines are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach seems to be to exchange chances with the opposition before hoping Rogers to rescue them with two clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and once more against United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a superb shot, curled just inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he pounced 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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opposition had more shots and more direct attempts. The team has won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those matches.

Regression to the mean might be the most significant challenge Villa must confront as the season progresses. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain drilling the ball into the top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is another reality whereby, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players could still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins could start scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho might become the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually return from injury, fortifying a periodically leaky defensive unit.

This could contain the potential of a title challenge, but they surely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, this was unforeseen. Few believed Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine the midfielder now would be leading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a vital Three Lions star.

The current run should be enjoyed precisely because it feels so unlikely. When the hero positioned himself before the Villa faithful at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are rare in football and should be relished.