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A mere eight weeks ago that the young forward stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as the Villa manager admonished him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained if Rogers' form were an indicator or a cause of the team's more general malaise.

“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”

This weekend, in contrast, the manager's outburst proved to be decidedly more positive. As the in-form star swept in his second to reinstate the lead for Villa, Emery ripped off his coat, spread his arms and bellowed. The team were on their way to ten wins in a row and having failed to win any of their first six matches, find themselves a mere three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Hopefuls?

It remains an exceptionally difficult question to answer. Past precedent, the perceived status of the club, argues against it. Moreover, they've rarely been completely commanding in many games, even as the victories have stacked up.

Per Opta, twice all season has the side had an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a side who have strung together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans appear curiously susceptible – but right now the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

The current approach appears to be to trade blows with rivals and wait for their talisman to rescue them with some precise efforts. This was the case against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and once more against Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a brilliant finish, arced right inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. For his second proved to be a slight scruffier version of the opener capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

“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. In the recent win, Manchester United managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all but one of those matches.

A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent Villa will encounter over the coming weeks. Rogers, surely, will not continue to thrashing the ball into the top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Could it be a different scenario in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures might still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward might resume adding to his goal tally.
• The winger might become the player he showed in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually regain fitness, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defence.

This could contain the potential for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this is a surprise. Nobody thought Aston Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And without a doubt two months ago, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be leading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a crucial England player.

The current run is to be savoured for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. As the hero positioned himself before the home supporters at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These runs of form are rare in football and must be appreciated.