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A mere eight weeks prior when the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager admonished him over not reading a pass in behind. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if his performances were an indicator or a cause of the side's broader struggles.

“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”

On Sunday, however, the manager's outburst was far more favourable. When the in-form star drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row , despite not winning any of their first six games, find themselves only three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?

That’s a rather hard query to address. History, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Additionally, their performances haven't been wholly dominant this season, while the victories have stacked up.

Per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the team had an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a club who have put together a ten-match winning streak, they seem weirdly vulnerable – but right now the margins are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy looks like to trade blows with an opponent and then rely on Rogers to save the day with two crisp finishes. This occurred at Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened against the Red Devils.

His opener stemmed from an exquisite effort, curled precisely inside the upright from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal acted as a slight scruffier version of his first as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

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

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opposition managed a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. The team has secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all except one of those games.

A reversion to average could be the greatest opponent they will encounter as the season progresses. The forward, surely, will not continue to thrashing his shots into the top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is an alternative path whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players might still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the force he showed in Germany.
• The defensive duo are due to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a periodically leaky defensive unit.

This could contain the possibility of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would be in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the young forward now would be spearheading a hunt for the title while looking like a crucial England player.

This winning streak is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. As Rogers faced the home supporters after the match conducting the cheers, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are rare in football and must be appreciated.