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It was eight weeks in the past that the Villa attacker found himself on the Sunderland turf, looking confused as the Villa manager admonished him over missing a pass in behind. At that point, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, the question was if Rogers' form were a sign or the reason of the side's broader struggles.

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

In the latest match, though, the manager's outburst was entirely decidedly more positive. After the in-form star swept in his second to reinstate Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician ripped off his coat, opened his arms and bellowed. Villa continued to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning any of their first six fixtures, find themselves only three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?

That’s an exceptionally difficult proposition to answer. Past precedent, the traditional standing of this institution, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they have not been entirely convincing this season, despite the fact the wins have accumulated.

As per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the team posted an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a club that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, they seem strangely fragile – however at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach seems to be to trade blows with the opposition before hoping their star man to save the day with two precise efforts. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired in London, and it happened when facing Manchester United.

The initial strike came from a brilliant finish, curled right inside the upright from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, Manchester United managed more shots and more direct attempts. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those games.

A reversion to average could be the greatest opponent the club must confront as the season progresses. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain thrashing the football into the top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists another reality where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players could still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward may begin to scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho might become the force he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are due to return from injury, bolstering a periodically leaky backline.

Maybe within that lies the possibility of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this is a surprise. Nobody thought the team would be in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, no one envisioned Rogers by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while looking like a vital Three Lions star.

This winning streak should be enjoyed for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the hero faced the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, it was clear to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and must be appreciated.