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Just 60 days prior that the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager scolded him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team went six without a win, it wasn't clear if his performances were a symptom or the reason for Villa's broader struggles.

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

On Sunday, though, the manager's outburst proved to be much more joyous. As the in-form star drilled in his brace-sealing goal to restore the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club marched on to ten wins in a row and despite not winning any of their first six matches, find themselves just three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?

This is a particularly tough proposition to answer. The historical record, a general sense of this institution, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they have not been wholly dominant during this run, despite the fact the positive results have accumulated.

According to the data, twice all season has the team posted an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a team that have strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa appear strangely fragile – but right now the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent before hoping their talisman to save the day with some precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and it happened against Manchester United.

His opener originated from an exquisite effort, bent right inside the post from a wide position. The follow-up goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he pounced 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. Against United, Manchester United had a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those games.

Regression to the mean might be the greatest opponent they will encounter in the near future. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be a different scenario where, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures may yet find their top level.

• The centre-forward may begin to scoring again.
• The attacking talent could transform into the performer he resembled in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to return from injury, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the potential for a sustained push, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Aston Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine the midfielder by the end of the year would be spearheading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.

This winning streak must be cherished for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As the hero positioned himself before the North End when the game ended leading the celebrations, he appeared to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are rare in football and should be relished.