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It was 60 days prior when the young forward stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while his coach berated him for not reading a penetrating pass. Back then, with the team went six without a win, it wasn't clear if his displays were a sign or a cause for the side'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, in contrast, the touchline reaction proved to be decidedly more positive. As the England international drilled in his second strike to reclaim the lead for Villa, Emery ripped off his coat, spread his arms and roared. Villa were on their way to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win any of their first six games, are somehow just three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Title Contenders?

This is an exceptionally difficult question to answer. History, the perceived status of this institution, argues against it. Furthermore, they've rarely been entirely convincing this season, even as the positive results have piled up.

As per Opta, twice all season has the side registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a club who have put together ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear weirdly vulnerable – but right now the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for Rogers to save the day with some crisp finishes. This was the case against Leeds, it transpired in London, and it happened when facing United.

His opener originated from a superb shot, curled just inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of the opener capitalizing 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.”

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opponents registered more efforts and more direct attempts. They have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all but one of those matches.

A reversion to average might be the biggest rival they will encounter in the near future. The forward, surely, cannot maintain drilling the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players may yet find their top level.

• The centre-forward might resume adding to his goal tally.
• The winger might become the performer he resembled during his peak.
• The defensive duo are due to return from injury, fortifying a periodically leaky defensive unit.

This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, this was unforeseen. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the midfielder by the end of the year would be spearheading a title charge while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.

The current run must be cherished for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When the hero stood in front of the Villa faithful at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These runs of form are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.