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Just two months ago that the Villa attacker was standing on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while the Villa manager berated him over missing a penetrating pass. During that period, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if his performances were a sign or the source for the side's wider issues.

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

This weekend, though, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. After the in-form star drilled in his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, the boss discarded his jacket, opened his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club were on their way to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning any of their first six matches, are somehow just three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Challengers?

This is an exceptionally difficult proposition to answer. History, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they have not been entirely convincing this season, even as the positive results have stacked up.

As per the data, twice all season have Villa registered an xG notably superior than the other team. For a side that have just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa look strangely fragile – yet right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy appears to be to trade blows with an opponent before hoping Rogers to rescue them with two precise efforts. This was the case at Leeds, it occurred in London, and it happened versus the Red Devils.

The initial strike came from a superb shot, arced precisely inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. For his second was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opponents had a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those games.

A reversion to average might be the biggest rival Villa must confront as the season progresses. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot keep on blasting the ball into the top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be an alternative path in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures might still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward could start scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the force he showed during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually return from injury, fortifying a sometimes shaky backline.

Maybe within that lies the possibility of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would be in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be spearheading a hunt for the title while looking like an essential Three Lions star.

This remarkable period is to be savoured precisely because it appears so improbable. As the match-winner faced the home supporters at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.