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It was 60 days in the past when the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager berated him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. During that period, as Villa went six without a win, doubts remained if his displays were a sign or the source of the team's broader struggles.

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

In the latest match, in contrast, the touchline reaction proved to be far more favourable. As the in-form star drilled in his brace-sealing goal to restore the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician discarded his winter coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row and after failing to win their initial half-dozen matches, now sit only three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Hopefuls?

It remains an exceptionally difficult question to address. Past precedent, the traditional standing of Villa, indicates otherwise. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, while the victories have piled up.

According to Opta, in only two games have Villa posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a club that have just won ten consecutive victories, they look curiously susceptible – but right now the margins are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with the opposition and wait for their star man to bail them out with some precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and again against Manchester United.

His opener came from a brilliant finish, bent precisely inside the post from the edge of the area. For his second acted as a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opposition registered a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. The team has won each of their last eight by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.

A reversion to average could be the greatest opponent Villa must confront over the coming weeks. The forward, surely, will not continue to drilling his shots into the top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is an alternative path in which, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures might still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
• The winger may rediscover the player he was in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And without a doubt back in October, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be leading a title charge and appearing as an essential England player.

This remarkable period must be cherished exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner stood in front of the Villa faithful at the final whistle conducting the cheers, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and must be appreciated.