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Just 60 days prior when the young forward was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as his coach berated him for not reading a through-ball. At that point, as the club endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether his displays were a symptom or the reason of Villa's broader struggles.

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

On Sunday, though, the touchline reaction was entirely far more favourable. When Rogers drilled in his second strike to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician ripped off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The team continued to a 10th successive win and having failed to win any of their first six matches, are somehow a mere three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Hopefuls?

It remains a particularly tough question to resolve. History, the traditional standing of the club, suggests not. Furthermore, they've rarely been completely commanding in many games, despite the fact the wins have piled up.

According to statistical analysis, on just two occasions have Villa had an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a club which has put together ten consecutive victories, they look weirdly vulnerable – yet currently the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and then rely on their star man to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. This was the case at Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened when facing the Red Devils.

His opener came from a superb shot, curled just inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. For his second acted as a somewhat messier replica of his first capitalizing 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.”

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opposition managed more shots and more shots on target. They have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean might be the greatest opponent Villa must confront as the season progresses. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot maintain blasting the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Could it be another reality whereby, rather than luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The winger may rediscover the force he resembled during his peak.
• The defensive duo are due to regain fitness, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, this was unforeseen. Few believed Aston Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, no one envisioned the midfielder now would be leading a hunt for the title while looking like a vital Three Lions star.

This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner positioned himself before the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, it was clear to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These runs of form are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.