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Just 60 days in the past when the young forward was standing on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while his coach berated him over not reading a through-ball. Back then, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, the question was if his performances were a symptom or a cause for the side's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, though, the sideline response proved to be much more joyous. After Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician discarded his winter coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club continued to a 10th successive win , despite not winning any of their first six matches, are somehow just three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Hopefuls?

This is an exceptionally difficult question to answer. The historical record, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been entirely convincing this season, even as the victories have piled up.

Per Opta, twice all season has the team registered an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a side that have put together ten consecutive victories, the Villans look curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy appears to be to trade blows with an opponent and wait for their star man to bail them out with some crisp finishes. It happened against Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and once more versus the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal originated from an exquisite effort, arced just inside the upright from a wide position. The follow-up goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

“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, the opponents had more shots and more shots on target. Villa have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival they have to face as the season progresses. The forward, surely, cannot keep on blasting the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists an alternative path whereby, rather than luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still return to peak condition.

• The main striker could start scoring again.
• The winger could transform into the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are due to return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And without a doubt back in October, few could imagine the young forward now would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial England player.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner stood in front of the Villa faithful after the match leading the celebrations, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are rare in football and must be appreciated.