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It was eight weeks prior when the young forward found himself on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager scolded him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. During that period, with the team endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were a sign 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.”

This weekend, though, the manager's outburst was entirely far more favourable. As the in-form star swept in his second strike to restore his side's advantage, Emery ripped off his winter coat, opened his arms and bellowed. Villa continued to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning any of their first six fixtures, now sit just three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Hopefuls?

It remains an exceptionally difficult query to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been completely commanding in many games, while the victories have stacked up.

As per statistical analysis, in only two games has the side had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a side that have put together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans appear curiously susceptible – but at the moment the margins are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy appears to be to trade blows with the opposition before hoping their star man to save the day with a couple of precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened against the Red Devils.

The initial strike originated from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the upright from a wide position. For his second acted as a somewhat messier replica of his first as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opposition registered a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. The team has won each of their last eight by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those matches.

A reversion to average may well be the greatest opponent Villa have to face as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, cannot maintain drilling the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists an alternative path in which, rather than luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.

• The main striker might resume finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the player he resembled during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually regain fitness, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility for a sustained push, but they surely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

However, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And certainly earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward by the end of the year would be spearheading a championship pursuit while looking like a vital England player.

This remarkable period must be cherished for the very reason that it appears so improbable. When the match-winner faced the home supporters at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he appeared to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These spells are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.