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It was two months prior that the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager admonished him over not reading a through-ball. At that point, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his displays were a sign or the reason of Villa's broader struggles.

“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”

On Sunday, though, the manager's outburst was entirely decidedly more positive. As the in-form star swept in his second strike to reclaim his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician tore off his jacket, spread his arms and bellowed. The team marched on to a tenth straight victory and despite not winning their opening six matches, are somehow a mere three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Challengers?

That’s an exceptionally difficult proposition to resolve. Past precedent, the perceived status of Villa, argues against it. Moreover, their performances haven't been entirely convincing during this run, even as the wins have stacked up.

As per statistical analysis, in only two games has the team had an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a side that have just won 10 in a row, Villa seem weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with an opponent and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with a couple of clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened when facing Manchester United.

The initial strike originated from a superb shot, curled right inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of goal number one as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.

“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. Against United, Manchester United had more efforts and more shots on target. The team has won each of their last eight by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those matches.

Regression to the mean might be the greatest opponent Villa must confront as the season progresses. Their key man, surely, will not continue to drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is another reality in which, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures may yet find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins might resume scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the performer he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky defence.

This could contain the seeds for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine Rogers now would be at the forefront of a title charge and appearing as a vital player for the national team.

This winning streak is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. When the hero positioned himself before the North End at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.