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A mere 60 days prior when the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as his coach admonished him for missing a penetrating pass. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were a sign or the reason of the team's wider issues.

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

This weekend, however, the sideline response was much more joyous. After the in-form star drilled in his second strike to restore his side's advantage, Emery tore off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The team were on their way to ten wins in a row , despite not winning their initial half-dozen games, now sit only three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?

That’s a rather hard proposition to address. History, the traditional standing of the club, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the wins have stacked up.

Per the data, in only two games has the team had an xG more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a team who have put together ten consecutive victories, Villa appear weirdly vulnerable – however currently the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy seems to be to trade blows with an opponent and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with a couple of clinical strikes. This was the case against Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and once more when facing the Red Devils.

His opener came from a brilliant finish, arced just inside the upright from a wide position. For his second acted as a slight scruffier version of the opener as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.

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

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opponents registered more efforts and more shots on target. Villa have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those matches.

A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival Villa will encounter as the season progresses. The forward, in all likelihood, will not continue to blasting his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Could it be an alternative path where, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players might still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the player he resembled in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are due to return from injury, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable 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

However, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely two months ago, few could imagine the young forward now would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a crucial Three Lions star.

The current run should be enjoyed exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the hero positioned himself before the North End after the match leading the celebrations, it was clear to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and should be relished.