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It was two months in the past when the Villa attacker was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as his coach admonished him for not reading a penetrating pass. Back then, as Villa went six without a win, the question was whether his displays were a symptom or the reason of the team's broader struggles.

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

In the latest match, though, the manager's outburst proved to be much more joyous. As the England international swept in his second strike to reclaim his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his coat, spread his arms and roared. The team continued to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win their opening six matches, now sit just three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Hopefuls?

It remains a particularly tough question to resolve. History, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, while the positive results have stacked up.

According to the data, on just two occasions has the team had an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a side that have put together ten consecutive victories, they appear strangely fragile – yet right now the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic looks like to exchange chances with the opposition before hoping their talisman to save the day with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and it happened against Manchester United.

The initial strike stemmed from a brilliant finish, curled just inside the upright from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of goal number one capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

“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?

Logic says not. Against United, Manchester United registered more efforts and more shots on target. The team has secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean may well be the greatest opponent the club must confront over the coming weeks. Their key man, surely, cannot keep on drilling the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins could start adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent might become the force he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are set to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

This could contain the seeds for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine the midfielder now would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a crucial Three Lions star.

The current run must be cherished for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As Rogers positioned himself before the Villa faithful after the match orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. Such periods do not happen often and must be appreciated.