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Just 60 days ago when the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while the Villa manager berated him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. During that period, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was if his displays 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, though, the sideline response proved to be much more joyous. After the England international drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician ripped off his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning any of their first six matches, now sit a mere three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Hopefuls?

That’s a particularly tough question to answer. Past precedent, the perceived status of the club, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they've rarely been wholly dominant this season, despite the fact the victories have piled up.

According to the data, twice all season has the team registered an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a side that have just won 10 in a row, they look curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the fine lines are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic seems to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with two clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and it happened when facing United.

Rogers' first goal came from a brilliant finish, bent precisely inside the upright from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, Manchester United managed more efforts and more direct attempts. They have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all except one of those matches.

A reversion to average may well be the greatest opponent Villa have to face as the season progresses. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot keep on blasting the ball into the top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Could it be another reality whereby, rather than luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still find their top level.

• The centre-forward could start scoring again.
• The attacking talent might become the performer he was during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a genuine bid, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

However, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the midfielder as the year closed would be leading a hunt for the title and appearing as an essential England player.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed precisely because it appears so improbable. As the match-winner positioned himself before the home supporters at the final whistle leading the celebrations, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.