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Just two months prior that the young forward stood on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while the Villa manager admonished him for missing a pass in behind. Back then, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause for Villa's more general malaise.

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

In the latest match, however, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. As the England international swept in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate his side's advantage, the boss ripped off his coat, opened his arms and roared. The Birmingham club marched on to a 10th successive win , after failing to win any of their first six games, now sit just three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Hopefuls?

That’s an exceptionally difficult proposition to address. The historical record, the perceived status of this institution, suggests not. Additionally, they've rarely been wholly dominant during this run, while the wins have accumulated.

Per Opta, on just two occasions has the side registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a team who have just won 10 in a row, the Villans seem strangely fragile – yet currently the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

The current approach looks like to engage in a shootout with the opposition before hoping their star man to bail them out with two clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again when facing Manchester United.

His opener stemmed from an exquisite effort, arced precisely inside the post from a wide position. The follow-up goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of the opener as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

“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. Against United, the opponents registered more shots and more shots on target. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those matches.

A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent Villa have to face over the coming weeks. Their key man, almost certainly, will not continue to drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is another reality in which, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent might become the performer he resembled in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are set to come back from the treatment room, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

This could contain the seeds of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable the team would be in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, few could imagine Rogers now would be leading a title charge while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed precisely because it seems so surreal. When the match-winner positioned himself before the Villa faithful at the final whistle conducting the cheers, it was clear to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are rare in football and should be relished.