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Just 60 days in the past when the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager berated him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if his performances were a symptom or the reason of Villa's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, however, the touchline reaction was much more joyous. After Rogers swept in his brace-sealing goal to restore his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his coat, opened his arms and bellowed. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row , having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, are somehow just three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Title Contenders?

It remains a particularly tough query to answer. The historical record, the perceived status of this institution, argues against it. Moreover, their performances haven't been completely commanding during this run, despite the fact the wins have stacked up.

Per the data, twice all season has the team registered an xG notably superior than the other team. For a team who have strung together ten consecutive victories, they seem strangely fragile – however at the moment the margins are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic appears to be to trade blows with the opposition and wait for Rogers to save the day with a couple of precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and it happened versus United.

The initial strike originated from an exquisite effort, arced precisely inside the post from the edge of the area. For his second acted as a somewhat messier replica of goal number one 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?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, Manchester United managed more efforts and more shots on target. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.

A reversion to average might be the greatest opponent the club must confront as the season progresses. The forward, surely, cannot keep on thrashing the ball into the net's top corner forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be an alternative path whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players could still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins could start finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent might become the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a sometimes shaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would occupy third at Christmas. And certainly back in October, few could imagine the young forward by the end of the year would be spearheading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a vital Three Lions star.

This remarkable period must be cherished for the very reason that it appears so improbable. When the match-winner stood in front of the North End when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are rare in football and must be appreciated.