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It was eight weeks prior when the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager scolded him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. At that point, with the team went six without a win, it wasn't clear whether his performances were a sign or the reason of Villa's broader struggles.

“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”

This weekend, in contrast, the sideline response was far more favourable. When the in-form star swept in his second strike to reinstate his side's advantage, Emery discarded his winter coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The team continued to ten wins in a row , despite not winning any of their first six games, are somehow a mere three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?

It remains a particularly tough query to address. The historical record, the perceived status of Villa, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they have not been entirely convincing in many games, while the positive results have accumulated.

According to the data, twice all season have Villa registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a club which has strung together 10 in a row, Villa seem strangely fragile – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy seems to be to trade blows with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to save the day with a couple of precise efforts. This occurred away to Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened versus Manchester United.

The initial strike stemmed from an exquisite effort, bent just inside the post from the corner of the box. For his second acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opposition managed a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. The team has won each of their last eight by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those matches.

Regression to the mean may well be the biggest rival the club will encounter in the near future. Their key man, surely, will not continue to blasting the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Could it be an alternative path in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players might still find their top level.

• The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho might become the player he was in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

However, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would sit third at Christmas. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine Rogers by the end of the year would be leading a championship pursuit while looking like a vital player for the national team.

The current run should be enjoyed precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner stood in front of the North End after the match conducting the cheers, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.