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A mere eight weeks ago when the Villa attacker found himself on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while the Villa manager berated him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. At that point, as the club endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his performances were an indicator or the reason of the side's wider issues.

“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”

On Sunday, in contrast, the manager's outburst was entirely far more favourable. When Rogers curled home his second to restore Villa's lead, the boss ripped off his coat, spread his arms and roared. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row and after failing to win their opening six matches, now sit only three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Serious Challengers?

That’s a particularly tough proposition to resolve. History, a general sense of this institution, suggests not. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant during this run, even as the victories have piled up.

According to Opta, in only two games has the team registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a team who have strung together ten consecutive victories, the Villans seem strangely fragile – however at the moment the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with rivals before hoping their star man to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. This was the case against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again against Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal originated from an exquisite effort, curled just inside the post from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal acted as a somewhat messier replica 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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opposition had more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all but one of those fixtures.

A reversion to average might be the biggest rival they will encounter over the coming weeks. The forward, surely, cannot keep on thrashing the ball into the top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists a different scenario where, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players could still find their top level.

• The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
• The winger might become the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to return from injury, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

This could contain the potential for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would be third at Christmas. And certainly two months ago, nobody thought the midfielder by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge while looking like a vital England player.

The current run is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the hero positioned himself before the Villa faithful after the match conducting the cheers, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These runs of form do not happen often and should be relished.