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It was two months prior when the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager scolded him over missing a penetrating pass. At that point, as the club endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his performances were a symptom or the source for Villa's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the manager's outburst was entirely far more favourable. After the England international curled home his second to reclaim his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician ripped off his coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The team marched on to ten wins in a row and despite not winning any of their first six matches, find themselves just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Serious Title Contenders?

This is an exceptionally difficult query to resolve. History, the perceived status of the club, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they've rarely been wholly dominant during this run, despite the fact the wins have piled up.

According to Opta, on just two occasions has the team had an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a club that have just won 10 in a row, they appear curiously susceptible – but currently the margins are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach seems to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for their star man to save the day with a couple of clinical strikes. This was the case against Leeds, it happened in London, and once more when facing the Red Devils.

His opener stemmed from an exquisite effort, bent just inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

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

How Long Can This Continue?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opposition had more efforts and more shots on target. The team has won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those games.

A statistical correction might be the greatest opponent they have to face as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on blasting the football past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures might still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker could start scoring again.
• The winger may rediscover the force he resembled during his peak.
• The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be leading a championship pursuit while looking like a vital England player.

This winning streak is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. When the match-winner positioned himself before the Villa faithful after the match conducting the cheers, he appeared to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.