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Just two months in the past when the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while his coach berated him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, the question was whether his displays were a sign or the source for the team's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, however, the manager's outburst was entirely decidedly more positive. When the England international swept in his second strike to reinstate his side's advantage, the boss discarded his winter coat, opened his arms and bellowed. Villa continued to ten wins in a row and despite not winning their initial half-dozen games, are somehow a mere three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Challengers?

It remains a rather hard query to answer. The historical record, the perceived status of this institution, argues against it. Moreover, their performances haven't been entirely convincing during this run, even as the positive results have stacked up.

Per the data, in only two games have Villa registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a team which has put together ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear curiously susceptible – but right now the margins are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with an opponent and wait for their star man to bail them out with two clinical strikes. This occurred against Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and again against Manchester United.

The initial strike stemmed from a superb shot, curled just inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal was essentially a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opponents registered a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all but one of those matches.

A reversion to average could be the most significant challenge Villa have to face as the season progresses. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot keep on drilling his shots past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Could it be a different scenario whereby, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the force he was in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, but they surely cannot keep relying on one man.

Savoring the Moment

But then, this was unforeseen. Few believed Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a title charge and appearing as an essential England player.

The current run must be cherished exactly since it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner positioned himself before the North End when the game ended leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.