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Just eight weeks in the past that the Villa attacker was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as his coach berated him over not reading a through-ball. Back then, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained if Rogers' form were an indicator or the source of the team's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, however, the manager's outburst proved to be decidedly more positive. When Rogers curled home his second to reclaim his side's advantage, the boss discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. The Birmingham club continued to a 10th successive win , after failing to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, are somehow only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Hopefuls?

It remains a particularly tough proposition to resolve. The historical record, the traditional standing of the club, argues against it. Additionally, they have not been completely commanding during this run, even as the victories have accumulated.

According to the data, twice all season has the side registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a club who have put together ten consecutive victories, they look curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy appears to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition and wait for Rogers to bail them out with two clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and once more against United.

Rogers' first goal originated from a superb shot, arced precisely inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. For his second was essentially a slight scruffier version of the opener capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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. In the recent win, the opponents had more shots and more shots on target. They have won each of their last eight by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those games.

A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent they have to face as the season progresses. Rogers, surely, will not continue to blasting the ball past despairing goalkeepers forever.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs may yet rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent could transform into the force he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Maybe within that lies the seeds for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would be third at Christmas. And without a doubt back in October, no one envisioned the young forward as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit and appearing as an essential player for the national team.

This winning streak is to be savoured precisely because it appears so improbable. When the hero stood in front of the home supporters at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.