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A mere 60 days in the past that the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while his coach scolded him for missing a through-ball. At that point, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if his performances were an indicator or the reason of Villa's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, however, the sideline response was decidedly more positive. As the in-form star swept in his second strike to restore the lead for Villa, Emery tore off his coat, spread his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club continued to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win their initial half-dozen games, are somehow a mere three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Challengers?

This is a particularly tough query to address. History, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been completely commanding in many games, despite the fact the positive results have stacked up.

According to Opta, twice all season has the team posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a club that have put together 10 in a row, the Villans appear strangely fragile – however right now the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition before hoping their star man to rescue them with two crisp finishes. This occurred against Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and once more against Manchester United.

The initial strike originated from an exquisite effort, bent precisely inside the goal frame from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a slight scruffier version of his first capitalizing 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, Manchester United registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those matches.

A reversion to average could be the biggest rival the club must confront as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to blasting his shots into the top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is an alternative path whereby, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho might become the force he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are set to regain fitness, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Maybe within that lies the seeds for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would sit third at Christmas. And certainly back in October, no one envisioned the young forward now would be at the forefront of a title charge while establishing himself as a crucial player for the national team.

The current run must be cherished for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As the hero stood in front of the home supporters when the game ended leading the celebrations, he seemed to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.