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A mere eight weeks prior that the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as his coach berated him over not reading a through-ball. At that point, with the team went six without a win, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause of Villa's wider issues.

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

In the latest match, though, the manager's outburst was entirely far more favourable. After Rogers drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician discarded his coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club marched on to a 10th successive win and having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, find themselves only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Serious Title Contenders?

It remains a particularly tough question to resolve. History, the traditional standing of this institution, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been completely commanding in many games, even as the positive results have accumulated.

Per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the team registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a side that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, Villa look curiously susceptible – but currently the margins are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic looks like to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on Rogers to save the day with two clinical strikes. This was the case against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again versus Manchester United.

The initial strike originated from a brilliant finish, bent precisely inside the post from a wide position. The follow-up goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he pounced 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opponents registered more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has won each of their last eight by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those fixtures.

A reversion to average may well be the biggest rival the club must confront as the season progresses. The forward, surely, cannot maintain thrashing the ball into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be a different scenario where, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker might resume adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho might become the force he resembled in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a periodically leaky defence.

This could contain the seeds for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

However, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit while looking like a vital player for the national team.

This winning streak is to be savoured precisely because it seems so surreal. When the match-winner positioned himself before the home supporters after the match orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. Such periods are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.