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Just eight weeks ago when the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while his coach scolded him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. During that period, with the team endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if his displays were a sign or the source of Villa's broader struggles.

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

On Sunday, however, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. After the England international curled home his second strike to restore the lead for Villa, Emery discarded his coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club marched on to ten wins in a row and after failing to win their initial half-dozen games, are somehow only three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Title Contenders?

This is a particularly tough proposition to resolve. History, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, their performances haven't been completely commanding this season, despite the fact the victories have accumulated.

Per the data, twice all season has the side posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a side who have put together ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear curiously susceptible – yet right now the margins are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy looks like to engage in a shootout with an opponent before hoping their star man to bail them out with two clinical strikes. This occurred against Leeds, it occurred in London, and again versus United.

The initial strike stemmed from an exquisite effort, arced right inside the post from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal acted as a slight scruffier version of his first 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?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, Manchester United had more efforts and more shots on target. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean may well be the most significant challenge the club have to face as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to blasting the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players might still find their top level.

• The centre-forward could start finding the net regularly.
• The winger might become the player he resembled during his peak.
• The defensive duo are due to return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable backline.

This could contain the possibility of a genuine bid, but they surely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title and appearing as a vital England player.

This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the hero faced the North End when the game ended orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.