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It was eight weeks in the past that the Villa attacker found himself on the Sunderland turf, looking confused as the Villa manager scolded him over not reading a penetrating pass. Back then, as Villa went six without a win, the question was if his displays were an indicator or a cause for the side's more general malaise.

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

On Sunday, however, the manager's outburst proved to be much more joyous. As the England international swept in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate his side's advantage, Emery discarded his winter coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The team continued to a 10th successive win and having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, now sit just three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Hopefuls?

This is a rather hard proposition to resolve. Past precedent, the traditional standing of this institution, suggests not. Furthermore, they have not been wholly dominant during this run, even as the victories have piled up.

Per statistical analysis, twice all season have Villa had an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a club who have strung together 10 in a row, the Villans seem curiously susceptible – yet currently the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic looks like to engage in a shootout with an opponent before hoping their star man to save the day with two precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and it happened versus Manchester United.

The initial strike originated from an exquisite effort, bent just inside the post from the edge of the area. For his second was essentially a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he seized 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. During the latest victory, the opponents managed a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those matches.

Regression to the mean may well be the greatest opponent they will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot keep on thrashing the football into the top corner forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be a different scenario whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker could start scoring again.
• The attacking talent could transform into the performer he showed during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs are set to return from injury, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defence.

This could contain the potential of a title challenge, but they surely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable the team would sit third at Christmas. And without a doubt back in October, no one envisioned the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial England player.

The current run is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner stood in front of the home supporters at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he seemed to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.