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Just 60 days prior that the Villa attacker was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while the Villa manager scolded him over missing a penetrating pass. Back then, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his displays were an indicator or a cause of the team's broader struggles.

“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”

This weekend, however, the manager's outburst proved to be far more favourable. As the in-form star curled home his second to reclaim his side's advantage, Emery discarded his winter coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club continued to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning any of their first six games, find themselves only three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Title Contenders?

It remains a particularly tough question to address. History, the traditional standing of the club, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant in many games, even as the victories have stacked up.

Per statistical analysis, in only two games has the team had an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a team who have just won 10 in a row, Villa appear weirdly vulnerable – yet right now the margins are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

The current approach appears to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition and wait for their talisman to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. This was the case away to Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again versus United.

The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, bent just inside the post from the corner of the box. For his second was essentially a somewhat messier replica of goal number one as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

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

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opposition had more shots and more shots on target. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those fixtures.

A statistical correction might be the biggest rival Villa have to face over the coming weeks. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot keep on blasting his shots into the top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists another reality in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures might still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins could start finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent could transform into the force he resembled during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

However, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would sit in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned Rogers as the year closed would be leading a title charge while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.

This winning streak must be cherished precisely because it appears so improbable. As Rogers positioned himself before the North End at the final whistle leading the celebrations, it was clear to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.