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It was two months ago that the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager berated him over missing a pass in behind. Back then, with the team went six without a win, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were a sign or the source of Villa's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, though, the touchline reaction was entirely much more joyous. After the England international curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore the lead for Villa, Emery discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team continued to ten wins in a row , despite not winning any of their first six games, find themselves a mere three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Challengers?

That’s an exceptionally difficult question to answer. Past precedent, the traditional standing of Villa, suggests not. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant in many games, even as the victories have accumulated.

As per Opta, in only two games has the side had an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a club who have just won a ten-match winning streak, the Villans appear weirdly vulnerable – yet right now the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach looks like to trade blows with the opposition before hoping their talisman to rescue them with two precise efforts. This occurred away to Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and once more versus the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal originated from a brilliant finish, curled right inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

“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 opposition registered more shots and more direct attempts. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those games.

Regression to the mean might be the biggest rival Villa must confront over the coming weeks. The forward, surely, cannot keep on drilling the football into the top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be an alternative path in which, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures might still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker may begin to scoring again.
• The attacking talent might become the player he was during his peak.
• The defensive duo are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the possibility of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine the young forward as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.

This winning streak is to be savoured precisely because it appears so improbable. As Rogers positioned himself before the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These spells are rare in football and should be relished.