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It was two months prior when the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused as his coach scolded him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. During that period, with the team went six without a win, it wasn't clear if his performances were an indicator or the source of the team's broader struggles.

“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”

This weekend, though, the manager's outburst proved to be much more joyous. When the in-form star swept in his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, Emery tore off his jacket, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team continued to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning their opening six fixtures, are somehow a mere three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Hopefuls?

It remains a particularly tough proposition to resolve. The historical record, a general sense of Villa, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant during this run, even as the wins have stacked up.

According to Opta, in only two games has the side had an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a side who have strung together ten consecutive victories, they appear strangely fragile – however currently the margins are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic appears to be to trade blows with the opposition and wait for their star man to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. This occurred at Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and once more versus United.

The initial strike came from a brilliant finish, arced precisely inside the upright from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Perhaps Rogers’ right foot is becoming like Arjen Robben’s left: just because you know he’s going to whip the ball into the top corner doesn’t mean you can stop him.”

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, the opposition had more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those games.

A statistical correction might be the biggest rival Villa have to face over the coming weeks. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain blasting the football into the top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is another reality whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.

• The main striker may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the performer he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are due to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a periodically leaky defensive unit.

This could contain the seeds for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this is a surprise. Nobody thought the team would occupy third at Christmas. And certainly two months ago, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.

The current run must be cherished precisely because it seems so surreal. As Rogers positioned himself before the North End after the match conducting the cheers, it was clear to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.