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It was eight weeks ago when the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as the Villa manager berated him over not reading a through-ball. At that point, with the team went six without a win, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were an indicator or a cause of Villa'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, in contrast, the sideline response was much more joyous. After Rogers swept in his second to restore his side's advantage, Emery discarded his winter coat, spread his arms and roared. The Birmingham club continued to a 10th successive win , having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, now sit just three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Challengers?

This is a particularly tough query to answer. The historical record, a general sense of this institution, suggests not. Additionally, they've rarely been entirely convincing during this run, while the victories have piled up.

As per statistical analysis, in only two games have Villa had an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a club which has strung together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans appear strangely fragile – but right now the margins are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic seems to be to exchange chances with an opponent before hoping their star man to bail them out with two clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and once more when facing Manchester United.

The initial strike came from a brilliant finish, bent just inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he seized 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.”

Can It Last?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opponents registered more shots and more efforts on goal. They have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those games.

Regression to the mean may well be the most significant challenge they will encounter in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, will not continue to thrashing the football into the top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is another reality where, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players could still find their top level.

• The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the player he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are set to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a periodically leaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable the team would sit in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, few could imagine Rogers by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge while establishing himself as a vital player for the national team.

This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the match-winner positioned himself before the North End at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.