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It was two months prior that the Villa attacker was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as his coach admonished him for not reading a through-ball. Back then, as Villa failed to win in six, doubts remained whether his performances were a symptom or the source for 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, though, the manager's outburst was entirely much more joyous. When the England international curled home his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, the boss discarded his winter coat, opened his arms and roared. The Birmingham club marched on to a tenth straight victory and despite not winning their initial half-dozen matches, find themselves a mere three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Challengers?

This is a rather hard query to answer. Past precedent, the traditional standing of Villa, suggests not. Additionally, they have not been wholly dominant this season, while the victories have stacked up.

As per the data, twice all season has the team registered an xG notably superior than the other team. For a team that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, they look strangely fragile – yet currently the margins are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy looks like to trade blows with rivals before hoping Rogers to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened at Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and once more against the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a brilliant finish, bent just inside the upright from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal was essentially a somewhat messier replica of goal number one capitalizing 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. Against United, Manchester United had a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. The team has secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those games.

A statistical correction could be the most significant challenge they must confront over the coming weeks. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on thrashing the ball into the top corner week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is an alternative path in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures could still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the force he showed during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to regain fitness, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

This could contain the potential for a sustained push, but they surely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Villa would be third at Christmas. And certainly earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward now would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial player for the national team.

This winning streak should be enjoyed exactly since it appears so improbable. When the match-winner positioned himself before the home supporters when the game ended orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. Such periods are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.