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Just two months prior that the young forward stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as the Villa manager admonished him for missing a penetrating pass. Back then, as Villa went six without a win, the question was if his displays were an indicator or the reason for Villa's more general malaise.

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

On Sunday, though, the manager's outburst was entirely far more favourable. After the England international curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate the lead for Villa, Emery ripped off his coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. Villa continued to ten wins in a row , having failed to win their opening six fixtures, find themselves just three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Challengers?

That’s an exceptionally difficult proposition to address. The historical record, the traditional standing of the club, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing this season, even as the victories have piled up.

As per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the side had an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a team which has strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa look strangely fragile – however currently the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy seems to be to exchange chances with an opponent and wait for their star man to save the day with some clinical strikes. It happened at Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened against United.

The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, arced precisely inside the post from a wide position. For his second acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing 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. In the recent win, the opposition registered more shots and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all except one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction could be the most significant challenge the club have to face as the season progresses. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot keep on drilling the football into the top corner week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is an alternative path whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs could still find their top level.

• The centre-forward could start scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho might become the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually return from injury, fortifying a periodically leaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.

Savoring the Moment

But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, nobody thought the midfielder now would be leading a title charge while establishing himself as a vital England player.

This winning streak must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. As the hero faced the North End at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These spells are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.