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Just two months in the past that the Villa attacker was standing on the Sunderland turf, looking confused as the Villa manager scolded him for missing a pass in behind. During that period, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained whether his displays were a sign or a cause for the team'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 touchline reaction was decidedly more positive. After Rogers curled home his second strike to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician ripped off his jacket, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win any of their first six matches, are somehow only three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Hopefuls?

That’s an exceptionally difficult query to address. The historical record, a general sense of this institution, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they've rarely been entirely convincing during this run, even as the wins have stacked up.

According to Opta, twice all season have Villa registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a team who have just won ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear curiously susceptible – yet right now the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent before hoping Rogers to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and again against Manchester United.

His opener came from an exquisite effort, bent just inside the upright from a wide position. For his second acted as a somewhat messier replica of goal number one as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

“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.”

Can It Last?

Logic says not. Against United, Manchester United registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those matches.

A statistical correction could be the most significant challenge they have to face in the near future. Their key man, almost certainly, will not continue to drilling his shots past despairing goalkeepers forever.

A Case for Belief

Could it be a different scenario whereby, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players could still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins could start scoring again.
• The attacking talent could transform into the force he was during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs are set to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a periodically leaky backline.

This could contain the possibility for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, few could imagine Rogers by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge while establishing himself as a crucial Three Lions star.

This remarkable period is to be savoured precisely because it appears so improbable. As the match-winner positioned himself before the North End at the final whistle leading the celebrations, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.