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It was eight weeks prior when the young forward found himself on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager admonished him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. At that point, as Villa failed to win in six, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were a symptom or the reason for the team's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, however, the sideline response was far more favourable. As Rogers curled home his second to restore the lead for Villa, Emery discarded his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row and after failing to win any of their first six fixtures, find themselves just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Hopefuls?

This is a particularly tough question to address. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Furthermore, their performances haven't been wholly dominant this season, despite the fact the wins have piled up.

Per statistical analysis, twice all season has the side had an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a side which has put together a ten-match winning streak, they seem strangely fragile – but currently the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy appears to be to trade blows with an opponent and wait for Rogers to save the day with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and again when facing Manchester United.

His opener stemmed from a superb shot, arced precisely inside the post from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of the opener as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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, the opposition registered a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those matches.

A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent Villa have to face in the near future. The forward, surely, cannot maintain blasting the ball into the top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists a different scenario where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins could start scoring again.
• The attacking talent might become the performer he was in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to regain fitness, strengthening a periodically leaky defence.

This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought the midfielder as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title and appearing as a vital Three Lions star.

This winning streak must be cherished for the very reason that it appears so improbable. When the hero stood in front of the home supporters at the final whistle conducting the cheers, it was clear to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.