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A mere eight weeks in the past when the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while his coach berated him for not reading a penetrating pass. Back then, as Villa went six without a win, doubts remained whether his displays were a sign or a cause of the side's more general malaise.

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

On Sunday, though, the sideline response proved to be far more favourable. As the England international drilled in his second to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his coat, opened his arms and roared. Villa were on their way to a tenth straight victory and despite not winning any of their first six fixtures, are somehow a mere three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Hopefuls?

It remains a particularly tough question to answer. History, the traditional standing of Villa, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they have not been entirely convincing during this run, even as the wins have accumulated.

Per statistical analysis, in only two games has the side registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a side who have just won a ten-match winning streak, they seem weirdly vulnerable – but currently the margins are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy looks like to exchange chances with rivals and wait for their talisman to bail them out with some precise efforts. This occurred away to Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and again when facing United.

His opener stemmed from an exquisite effort, bent right inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal acted as a slight scruffier version of goal number one capitalizing 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 opposition managed more shots and more shots on target. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those games.

A reversion to average could be the greatest opponent the club have to face over the coming weeks. The forward, almost certainly, cannot maintain thrashing his shots past despairing goalkeepers forever.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is an alternative path where, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins might resume scoring again.
• The attacking talent might become the player he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable the team would sit in the top three for the holidays. And certainly earlier this season, few could imagine the midfielder now would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a vital Three Lions star.

This winning streak is to be savoured precisely because it appears so improbable. When Rogers faced the Villa faithful after the match orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. Such periods are rare in football and should be relished.