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It was eight weeks prior that the young forward stood on the Sunderland turf, looking confused as his coach admonished him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. During that period, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his displays were a symptom or the source for Villa's more general malaise.

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

In the latest match, in contrast, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. When the in-form star swept in his second to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician tore off his jacket, opened his arms and bellowed. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, are somehow only three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Serious Hopefuls?

This is a particularly tough proposition to resolve. History, the perceived status of Villa, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, their performances haven't been completely commanding this season, while the wins have stacked up.

Per the data, in only two games has the side posted an xG significantly higher than the other team. For a club who have just won a ten-match winning streak, the Villans look strangely fragile – yet currently the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic appears to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and wait for their talisman to bail them out with some precise efforts. This occurred against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and once more versus the Red Devils.

His opener stemmed from a superb shot, curled just inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal was essentially a somewhat messier replica of goal number one as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

“Perhaps Rogers’ right foot is becoming like Arjen Robben’s left: just because you know he’s going to whip the ball into the top corner doesn’t mean you can stop him.”

Can It Last?

Logic says not. Against United, the opposition managed more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has won each of their last eight by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those fixtures.

A reversion to average might be the greatest opponent Villa have to face as the season progresses. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot maintain thrashing his shots into the net's top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward might resume scoring again.
• The winger might become the player he was during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the seeds for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And without a doubt earlier this season, few could imagine Rogers as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a vital England player.

The current run should be enjoyed exactly since it appears so improbable. As Rogers positioned himself before the North End at the final whistle conducting the cheers, it was clear to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These spells are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.