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A mere 60 days in the past when the Villa attacker was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager scolded him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. Back then, as Villa failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were an indicator or the source of the team's broader struggles.

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

In the latest match, though, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. After Rogers swept in his second strike to restore the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician discarded his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. Villa marched on to ten wins in a row and despite not winning their opening six fixtures, are somehow only three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Challengers?

That’s a particularly tough proposition to answer. History, the traditional standing of the club, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been wholly dominant this season, while the wins have stacked up.

As per statistical analysis, in only two games has the side posted an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a side who have strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa seem strangely fragile – but right now the margins are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy appears to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and wait for their star man to bail them out with two clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it happened in London, and once more when facing the Red Devils.

His opener came from a brilliant finish, bent right inside the post from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one capitalizing 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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opponents managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those matches.

Regression to the mean could be the greatest opponent Villa have to face in the near future. Their key man, surely, will not continue to drilling the ball into the top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be an alternative path whereby, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the force he resembled in Germany.
• The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the potential for a sustained push, but they surely can continue to depend solely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while looking like an essential England player.

The current run is to be savoured precisely because it seems so surreal. When the match-winner stood in front of the Villa faithful at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he seemed to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.