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Just 60 days ago that the Villa attacker stood on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while the Villa manager scolded him for not reading a penetrating pass. At that point, as Villa failed to win in six, the question was if his performances were an indicator or the source for the side's wider issues.

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

In the latest match, in contrast, the manager's outburst was entirely much more joyous. When the England international swept in his second to reclaim the lead for Villa, the boss ripped off his jacket, opened his arms and roared. The team were on their way to ten wins in a row , having failed to win their opening six matches, find themselves just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Hopefuls?

That’s an exceptionally difficult proposition to answer. History, the perceived status of this institution, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing this season, while the positive results have stacked up.

Per statistical analysis, in only two games has the team posted an xG significantly higher than the other team. For a club that have just won 10 in a row, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – yet right now the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy looks like to trade blows with an opponent and wait for their star man to bail them out with a couple of clinical strikes. This occurred against Leeds, it transpired in London, and it happened versus United.

His opener stemmed from a brilliant finish, arced just inside the goal frame from a wide position. The follow-up goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

“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.”

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opponents registered a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. Villa have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those matches.

Regression to the mean might be the greatest opponent Villa have to face as the season progresses. The forward, surely, cannot maintain blasting his shots into the top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Could it be an alternative path in which, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The winger might become the force he resembled in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are set to return from injury, bolstering a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought Rogers now would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a vital England player.

The current run is to be savoured precisely because it seems so surreal. When Rogers stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These runs of form are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.