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A mere eight weeks ago when the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while his coach berated him for missing a penetrating pass. During that period, as the club endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether Rogers' form were a symptom or the source for the team's wider issues.

“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”

In the latest match, though, the touchline reaction was entirely far more favourable. When the in-form star drilled in his second strike to reclaim Villa's lead, Emery tore off his winter coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club were on their way to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their opening six matches, now sit a mere three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Title Contenders?

That’s an exceptionally difficult question to resolve. The historical record, the traditional standing of the club, suggests not. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant this season, even as the positive results have piled up.

Per statistical analysis, twice all season has the team registered an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a side that have strung together ten consecutive victories, they appear weirdly vulnerable – yet right now the fine lines are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic looks like to trade blows with the opposition and then rely on their star man to save the day with two clinical strikes. This was the case against Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and once more versus United.

His opener came from a superb shot, bent just inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. For his second was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he pounced 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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, Manchester United had more shots and more direct attempts. The team has secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those matches.

A reversion to average could be the most significant challenge they have to face as the season progresses. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot maintain thrashing his shots into the net's top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists a different scenario whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players might still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward could start finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the force he was in Germany.
• The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely cannot keep relying on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely two months ago, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.

This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As the match-winner positioned himself before the North End when the game ended leading the celebrations, it was clear to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are rare in football and should be relished.