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Just 60 days prior that the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as his coach scolded him over not reading a pass in behind. Back then, with the team went six without a win, the question was whether Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause for the team's wider issues.

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

In the latest match, however, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. After Rogers swept in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician tore off his jacket, spread his arms and roared. The Birmingham club were on their way to ten wins in a row and having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, are somehow a mere three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Serious Hopefuls?

This is a rather hard proposition to resolve. Past precedent, the perceived status of this institution, argues against it. Additionally, their performances haven't been entirely convincing during this run, even as the positive results have piled up.

As per the data, twice all season has the side posted an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a club which has put together 10 in a row, Villa appear strangely fragile – yet currently the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic looks like to exchange chances with rivals and wait for their talisman to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and again versus Manchester United.

His opener originated from a brilliant finish, bent precisely inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of the opener 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. During the latest victory, the opponents managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all except one of those games.

A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent the club must confront in the near future. Rogers, surely, cannot keep on drilling the ball into the top corner forever.

Potential for Growth

Could it be another reality whereby, rather than luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players might still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the player he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to regain fitness, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Maybe within that lies the potential of a title challenge, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Aston Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought the midfielder now would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a crucial player for the national team.

This winning streak must be cherished for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the hero stood in front of the home supporters at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.