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It was 60 days ago that the young forward was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while his coach scolded him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. At that point, as Villa failed to win in six, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause of Villa's wider issues.

“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”

In the latest match, however, the touchline reaction was entirely far more favourable. After Rogers swept in his second to restore the lead for Villa, Emery discarded his coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The team were on their way to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win any of their first six matches, are somehow a mere three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Challengers?

It remains an exceptionally difficult query to address. History, the perceived status of this institution, suggests not. Moreover, their performances haven't been completely commanding during this run, while the positive results have piled up.

As per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the team had an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a team who have strung together a ten-match winning streak, they appear strangely fragile – but currently the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach seems to be to trade blows with rivals before hoping their talisman to rescue them with some clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it happened in London, and again versus the Red Devils.

The initial strike came from a superb shot, curled precisely inside the upright from a wide position. For his second was essentially a slight scruffier version of his first capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, Manchester United had more efforts and more shots on target. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those games.

A reversion to average could be the biggest rival Villa must confront as the season progresses. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot maintain blasting the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists a different scenario where, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins might resume adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to regain fitness, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would sit third at Christmas. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought Rogers now would be spearheading a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial England player.

This winning streak must be cherished for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. As the hero positioned himself before the North End when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. Such periods do not happen often and must be appreciated.