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A mere eight weeks ago when the Villa attacker found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as his coach berated him for missing a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause of the team's wider issues.

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

In the latest match, in contrast, the manager's outburst was entirely far more favourable. When Rogers drilled in his second to reinstate Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician tore off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. Villa continued to ten wins in a row and despite not winning any of their first six matches, now sit only three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Hopefuls?

That’s a rather hard query to answer. The historical record, the perceived status of the club, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been entirely convincing during this run, despite the fact the positive results have piled up.

As per the data, twice all season has the team had an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a side who have strung together ten consecutive victories, the Villans seem weirdly vulnerable – however right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with the opposition and wait for their talisman to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. This was the case against Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and again against United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a brilliant finish, bent precisely inside the post from a wide position. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of his first as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

“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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, Manchester United managed more efforts and more shots on target. They have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those matches.

A reversion to average may well be the biggest rival Villa have to face over the coming weeks. Their key man, surely, cannot keep on blasting the ball into the top corner forever.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is another reality whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures could still return to peak condition.

• The main striker might resume finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the performer he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are due to return from injury, bolstering a periodically leaky backline.

Maybe within that lies the potential for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

However, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely back in October, nobody thought the midfielder by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a vital England player.

This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. As Rogers faced the Villa faithful after the match conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.