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Just 60 days prior when the Villa attacker found himself on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as his coach admonished him for missing a penetrating pass. At that point, as the club failed to win in six, doubts remained if his displays were an indicator or the source for the side's more general malaise.

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

In the latest match, in contrast, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. As the in-form star curled home his second to reclaim Villa's lead, Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club were on their way to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win any of their first six matches, are somehow only three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Challengers?

It remains an exceptionally difficult question to answer. Past precedent, the perceived status of Villa, argues against it. Furthermore, they have not been wholly dominant in many games, while the victories have piled up.

According to the data, in only two games has the side posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a side who have just won ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear strangely fragile – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach seems to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and wait for their talisman to rescue them with some crisp finishes. This was the case at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and again versus the Red Devils.

The initial strike stemmed from an exquisite effort, bent right inside the upright from a wide position. For his second proved to be a somewhat messier replica of his first capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opposition registered more efforts and more shots on target. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those games.

Regression to the mean could be the biggest rival the club have to face as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to blasting the football into the net's top corner forever.

Potential for Growth

Could it be an alternative path in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs might still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward might resume adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the player he resembled in Germany.
• The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would sit in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt two months ago, nobody thought the young forward now would be leading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.

This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the hero stood in front of the home supporters at the final whistle leading the celebrations, it was clear to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These spells are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.