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Just eight weeks in the past that the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while his coach berated him for not reading 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 the reason of the team's broader struggles.

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

On Sunday, though, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. After the in-form star curled home his second to reinstate Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician tore off his jacket, opened his arms and roared. Villa were on their way to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win any of their first six games, find themselves a mere three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Title Contenders?

That’s an exceptionally difficult proposition to address. The historical record, a general sense of this institution, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing this season, while the victories have stacked up.

Per Opta, on just two occasions has the side registered an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a club that have just won 10 in a row, the Villans seem strangely fragile – yet at the moment the fine lines are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy looks like to engage in a shootout with an opponent and then rely on Rogers to bail them out with some clinical strikes. It happened at Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and it happened when facing United.

Rogers' first goal originated from a brilliant finish, arced precisely inside the goal frame from a wide position. His brace-completing goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of his first 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opposition registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those games.

A statistical correction could be the biggest rival Villa will encounter in the near future. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot keep on blasting his shots into the net's top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is another reality whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet rediscover their best form.

• The main striker could start scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho might become the force he showed during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually regain fitness, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought the team would sit in the top three for the holidays. And certainly two months ago, few could imagine the midfielder now would be spearheading a championship pursuit 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 Villa faithful at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.