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A mere eight weeks in the past when the Villa attacker found himself on the Sunderland turf, looking confused as the Villa manager scolded him over missing a through-ball. Back then, as the club failed to win in six, doubts remained if his displays were a symptom or the source 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.”

In the latest match, in contrast, the sideline response was entirely decidedly more positive. After Rogers swept in his second strike to restore Villa's lead, Emery tore off his jacket, opened his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club marched on to ten wins in a row , after failing to win any of their first six fixtures, now sit a mere three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Hopefuls?

That’s a particularly tough proposition to resolve. Past precedent, the traditional standing of Villa, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they have not been wholly dominant this season, even as the wins have accumulated.

As per Opta, twice all season has the side had an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a team who have put together a ten-match winning streak, they appear weirdly vulnerable – yet right now the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy appears to be to trade blows with rivals and then rely on their talisman to save the day with two precise efforts. This was the case at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and it happened when facing the Red Devils.

His opener stemmed from a brilliant finish, arced precisely inside the post from a wide position. The follow-up goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he seized 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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opponents managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those games.

Regression to the mean could be the biggest rival the club must confront over the coming weeks. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling his shots into the top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Could it be another reality in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent could transform into the performer he resembled in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually regain fitness, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defence.

This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this was unforeseen. Few believed Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And certainly back in October, no one envisioned the young forward now would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial England player.

The current run should be enjoyed for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the match-winner stood in front of the home supporters after the match orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.