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A mere eight weeks ago that the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while his coach scolded him over missing a pass in behind. During that period, with the team endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if his displays were a symptom or the reason of the side's broader struggles.

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

On Sunday, however, the sideline response proved to be far more favourable. As the in-form star drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim the lead for Villa, the boss tore off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. Villa continued to a 10th successive win , after failing to win their initial half-dozen matches, now sit just three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?

This is a rather hard proposition to resolve. History, the perceived status of this institution, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they've rarely been wholly dominant during this run, even as the positive results have stacked up.

Per the data, on just two occasions has the team had an xG notably superior than the other team. For a team who have strung together 10 in a row, the Villans seem strangely fragile – but currently the margins are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach seems to be to trade blows with the opposition and then rely on their star man to bail them out with some crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and once more versus United.

Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal acted as a slight scruffier version of his first as he pounced 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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opponents registered more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those matches.

A reversion to average may well be the greatest opponent Villa have to face as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to thrashing his shots into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Could it be another reality in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures may yet rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
• The attacking talent might become the force he was in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually return from injury, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Maybe within that lies the possibility for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would be in a Champions League place in December. And certainly back in October, few could imagine the young forward by the end of the year would be spearheading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential England player.

The current run is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. As the hero faced the home supporters when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.