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A mere eight weeks prior when the young forward was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as his coach berated him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. Back then, as the club failed to win in six, the question was if his displays were a sign or a cause of the side's wider issues.

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

In the latest match, though, the manager's outburst was entirely far more favourable. When the England international drilled in his brace-sealing goal to restore Villa's lead, the boss ripped off his jacket, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club marched on to ten wins in a row , after failing to win any of their first six fixtures, find themselves only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Title Contenders?

That’s an exceptionally difficult query to address. The historical record, the perceived status of this institution, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing in many games, even as the positive results have piled up.

According to statistical analysis, on just two occasions have Villa registered an xG notably superior than the other team. For a club that have strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa seem weirdly vulnerable – yet right now the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach seems to be to exchange chances with an opponent before hoping their talisman to save the day with a couple of precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and it happened when facing the Red Devils.

His opener originated from an exquisite effort, arced right inside the post from a wide position. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he pounced 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opponents had more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those fixtures.

A statistical correction might be the most significant challenge Villa will encounter as the season progresses. The forward, surely, cannot maintain drilling his shots into the top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is an alternative path where, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players may yet rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins could start finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the player he was in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

This could contain the potential for a sustained push, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this was unforeseen. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine the young forward as the year closed would be leading a title charge while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.

This remarkable period must be cherished precisely because it appears so improbable. As the match-winner faced the North End after the match leading the celebrations, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and must be appreciated.