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Just eight weeks ago when the young forward stood on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while his coach berated him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. At that point, as the club failed to win in six, the question was if Rogers' form were an indicator or a cause of Villa's more general malaise.

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

On Sunday, in contrast, the touchline reaction was decidedly more positive. As the in-form star drilled in his second to reinstate Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. The Birmingham club marched on to ten wins in a row , despite not winning any of their first six games, are somehow only three points adrift of 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, suggests not. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant during this run, even as the victories have stacked up.

According to the data, twice all season have Villa had an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a team which has strung together a ten-match winning streak, they look strangely fragile – yet at the moment the margins are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy appears to be to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on Rogers to bail them out with two precise efforts. This occurred against Leeds, it transpired in London, and again against Manchester United.

The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, arced precisely inside the upright from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of his first capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

“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, the opponents managed a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those matches.

A reversion to average may well be the biggest rival they will encounter over the coming weeks. Their key man, surely, cannot keep on drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be another reality where, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward may begin to scoring again.
• The attacking talent could transform into the force he showed during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to return from injury, bolstering a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the possibility of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this was unforeseen. Few believed Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while looking like an essential England player.

The current run should be enjoyed exactly since it appears so improbable. As the match-winner positioned himself before the Villa faithful when the game ended orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.