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Just eight weeks ago that the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as his coach scolded him over missing a pass in behind. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained if his performances were a symptom or the reason for Villa's more general malaise.

“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 was entirely far more favourable. After the England international swept in his second strike to restore Villa's lead, the boss tore off his coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The team marched on to ten wins in a row , having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, are somehow only three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Title Contenders?

This is an exceptionally difficult query to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been completely commanding this season, even as the wins have piled up.

According to Opta, in only two games has the team posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a team that have put together ten consecutive victories, they appear curiously susceptible – but at the moment the margins are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach looks like to engage in a shootout with rivals before hoping their talisman to bail them out with a couple of clinical strikes. This occurred against Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and once more when facing Manchester United.

The initial strike stemmed from a brilliant finish, curled precisely inside the upright from a wide position. The follow-up goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of the opener 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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, Manchester United had a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. The team has won each of their last eight by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean may well be the biggest rival they will encounter over the coming weeks. Rogers, surely, will not continue to drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is another reality in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures may yet find their top level.

• The centre-forward might resume scoring again.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the player he was during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to return from injury, fortifying a sometimes shaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable the team would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely back in October, nobody thought Rogers by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while looking like a vital player for the national team.

The current run is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. When Rogers stood in front of the North End when the game ended leading the celebrations, he appeared to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are rare in football and should be relished.