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A mere eight weeks prior that the young forward was standing on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as his coach scolded him for not reading a pass in behind. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained whether his displays were an indicator or the source of the team's wider issues.

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

This weekend, though, the manager's outburst was far more favourable. As the in-form star drilled in his second to restore his side's advantage, the boss ripped off his coat, opened his arms and bellowed. Villa continued to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win their opening six fixtures, are somehow only three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Challengers?

That’s an exceptionally difficult query to address. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they've rarely been completely commanding during this run, despite the fact the wins have stacked up.

According to statistical analysis, in only two games have Villa posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a team which has strung together ten consecutive victories, the Villans seem strangely fragile – but at the moment the fine lines are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The current approach seems to be to engage in a shootout with rivals before hoping their star man to rescue them with some precise efforts. This occurred away to Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and again against United.

The initial strike originated from an exquisite effort, bent precisely inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

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

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opponents registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has won each of their last eight by a single goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean might be the biggest rival the club have to face over the coming weeks. Their key man, surely, will not continue to drilling his shots past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is a different scenario whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players might still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward might resume adding to his goal tally.
• The winger could transform into the performer he resembled in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are set to return from injury, bolstering a sometimes shaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on one man.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought the team would sit in the top three for the holidays. And certainly back in October, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be leading a hunt for the title while looking like an essential Three Lions star.

The current run should be enjoyed precisely because it seems so surreal. When the hero stood in front of the home supporters after the match orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are rare in football and should be relished.