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A mere eight weeks in the past that the young forward stood on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as his coach scolded him for not reading a penetrating pass. Back then, as the club failed to win in six, the question was whether Rogers' form were an indicator or the source of the team's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, though, the touchline reaction proved to be far more favourable. As the in-form star swept in his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, Emery ripped off his jacket, opened his arms and bellowed. The team were on their way to a tenth straight victory and despite not winning their opening six matches, are somehow just three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?

This is a particularly tough query to address. History, a general sense of this institution, indicates otherwise. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant this season, even as the victories have stacked up.

According to statistical analysis, in only two games has the team had an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a side which has put together 10 in a row, Villa appear strangely fragile – yet right now the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with rivals and wait for Rogers to bail them out with some clinical strikes. This occurred against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and once more versus United.

The initial strike stemmed from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. For his second was essentially a somewhat messier replica of his first as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Perhaps Rogers’ right foot is becoming like Arjen Robben’s left: just because you know he’s going to whip the ball into the top corner doesn’t mean you can stop him.”

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, Manchester United had more shots and more shots on target. They have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean could be the biggest rival the club must confront over the coming weeks. The forward, surely, cannot maintain thrashing the football into the top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists another reality in which, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.

• The centre-forward could start finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho might become the performer he showed during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to return from injury, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Maybe within that lies the possibility of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And certainly two months ago, no one envisioned the young forward as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit and appearing as an essential England player.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed exactly since it appears so improbable. As the match-winner stood in front of the home supporters after the match leading the celebrations, it was clear to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.