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It was 60 days prior when the Villa attacker was standing on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while the Villa manager admonished him over missing a through-ball. During that period, as the club failed to win in six, doubts remained if his displays were a sign 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, though, the manager's outburst was entirely much more joyous. When the England international curled home his second to restore his side's advantage, Emery discarded his jacket, opened his arms and bellowed. The team were on their way to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, now sit only three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Title Contenders?

This is a rather hard proposition to answer. The historical record, the traditional standing of the club, argues against it. Furthermore, they have not been wholly dominant this season, despite the fact the positive results have piled up.

According to statistical analysis, in only two games has the side posted an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a club which has put together 10 in a row, Villa appear curiously susceptible – but at the moment the margins are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic seems to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition and wait for their star man to bail them out with a couple of clinical strikes. This was the case against Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened versus the Red Devils.

The initial strike stemmed from an exquisite effort, arced right inside the post from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal acted as 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. During the latest victory, the opponents had more shots and more direct attempts. They have won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those games.

A statistical correction could be the biggest rival the club will encounter in the near future. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to thrashing the football into the top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Could it be another reality in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players might still find their top level.

• The main striker may begin to scoring again.
• The attacking talent could transform into the player he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually return from injury, bolstering a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a title challenge, but they surely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely earlier this season, 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.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. When the hero stood in front of the North End at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he seemed to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.