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Just 60 days ago that the Villa attacker found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as the Villa manager scolded him over not reading a through-ball. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his displays were a sign or the source for the team's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, though, the touchline reaction was far more favourable. When Rogers curled home his second to reinstate the lead for Villa, Emery tore off his coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The team marched on to ten wins in a row and despite not winning their opening six games, find themselves a mere three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Title Contenders?

That’s a rather hard proposition to resolve. The historical record, the traditional standing of this institution, indicates otherwise. Moreover, their performances haven't been entirely convincing in many games, even as the victories have accumulated.

Per the data, on just two occasions have Villa posted an xG notably superior than the other team. For a side who have just won 10 in a row, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – but right now the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic appears to be to trade blows with rivals and wait for their talisman to save the day with a couple of precise efforts. This occurred at Leeds, it happened in London, and once more against United.

The initial strike stemmed from a brilliant finish, curled right inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of goal number one as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

“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?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opponents had more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those matches.

A statistical correction could be the most significant challenge Villa will encounter over the coming weeks. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain thrashing his shots into the top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is an alternative path whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures may yet rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the player he was in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually come back from the treatment room, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And most definitely earlier this season, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a crucial player for the national team.

This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As Rogers faced the home supporters after the match orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.