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A mere two months prior that the young forward stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as his coach berated him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. At that point, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause for the team's more general malaise.

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

On Sunday, however, the touchline reaction proved to be decidedly more positive. When the in-form star curled home his second to reinstate Villa's lead, Emery tore off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The team marched on to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win their opening six matches, are somehow a mere three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Hopefuls?

That’s an exceptionally difficult question to answer. History, the perceived status of the club, argues against it. Furthermore, they've rarely been completely commanding in many games, even as the positive results have stacked up.

Per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the team posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a side that have strung together 10 in a row, Villa appear weirdly vulnerable – but currently the margins are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy appears to be to exchange chances with the opposition before hoping Rogers to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. This occurred against Leeds, it happened in London, and again against the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal came from a brilliant finish, arced precisely inside the post from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a slight scruffier version of the opener as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

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

How Long Can This Continue?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opposition managed a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those fixtures.

A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival they have to face as the season progresses. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot keep on blasting the ball into the top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is an alternative path whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker may begin to finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho might become the performer he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually regain fitness, strengthening a sometimes shaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this is a surprise. Nobody thought the team would be in the top three for the holidays. And certainly earlier this season, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial player for the national team.

The current run is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner positioned himself before the North End at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. Such periods are rare in football and must be appreciated.