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It was two months in the past when the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager admonished him over missing a penetrating pass. At that point, as the club failed to win in six, the question was if his displays were an indicator or the source for the team's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, in contrast, the manager's outburst was far more favourable. When the in-form star curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate his side's advantage, Emery tore off his coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club marched on to a 10th successive win , despite not winning their opening six games, find themselves a mere three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?

That’s an exceptionally difficult proposition to answer. The historical record, a general sense of the club, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing during this run, even as the victories have stacked up.

As per statistical analysis, twice all season has the side registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a side which has strung together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans look curiously susceptible – but at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

The current approach looks like to trade blows with rivals and wait for Rogers to rescue them with some clinical strikes. This occurred away to Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again versus Manchester United.

His opener came from an exquisite effort, arced precisely inside the upright from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration 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.”

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opposition managed more shots and more direct attempts. Villa have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all except one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean may well be the greatest opponent Villa will encounter in the near future. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot keep on blasting the football past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists an alternative path where, rather than luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players could still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the force he was in Germany.
• The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.

This could contain the potential of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this was unforeseen. Few believed Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, nobody thought Rogers by the end of the year would be leading a championship pursuit while looking like an essential Three Lions star.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. As the match-winner faced the home supporters after the match conducting the cheers, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.