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It was eight weeks in the past when the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while the Villa manager berated him over not reading a pass in behind. Back then, as Villa went six without a win, it wasn't clear if his displays were a symptom or a cause for the team's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, however, the manager's outburst proved to be far more favourable. As the in-form star drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician tore off his jacket, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win any of their first six matches, are somehow just three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Title Contenders?

It remains a particularly tough question to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they have not been entirely convincing this season, despite the fact the positive results have stacked up.

According to Opta, in only two games have Villa registered an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a side that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans seem curiously susceptible – however right now the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic looks like to engage in a shootout with rivals before hoping their talisman to rescue them with two precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and it happened against the Red Devils.

His opener originated from a superb shot, bent just inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one 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?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, Manchester United managed more efforts and more direct attempts. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those matches.

Regression to the mean might be the biggest rival Villa will encounter in the near future. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to drilling the football into the top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be an alternative path where, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs might still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins could start adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the player he was in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable backline.

This could contain the potential of a title challenge, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, few could imagine the young forward as the year closed would be spearheading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a vital Three Lions star.

The current run should be enjoyed for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When the hero positioned himself before the home supporters after the match leading the celebrations, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.