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Just 60 days in the past when the Villa attacker found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while his coach berated him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his performances were a sign or the source for Villa'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 decidedly more positive. When Rogers swept in his second to reclaim the lead for Villa, Emery discarded his winter coat, spread his arms and roared. The Birmingham club marched on to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their opening six matches, now sit only three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Hopefuls?

This is an exceptionally difficult proposition to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Additionally, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the wins have accumulated.

Per Opta, on just two occasions has the side had an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a team who have strung together ten consecutive victories, the Villans look weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the fine lines are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach looks like to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on their star man to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and again when facing United.

His opener stemmed from an exquisite effort, bent right inside the upright from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one capitalizing 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opponents registered more efforts and more shots on target. They have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those matches.

A statistical correction might be the most significant challenge the club must confront in the near future. Their key man, almost certainly, will not continue to thrashing his shots into the top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists a different scenario where, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players may yet rediscover their best form.

• The main striker could start finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the force he was in Germany.
• The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, strengthening a sometimes shaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine the midfielder now would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.

The current run should be enjoyed for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When the hero positioned himself before the home supporters after the match leading the celebrations, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.