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Just two months in the past that the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager berated him for not reading a pass in behind. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained whether his performances were a symptom or the source of the team's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, in contrast, the manager's outburst proved to be much more joyous. After the in-form star curled home his second strike to restore Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician tore off his coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The Birmingham club marched on to ten wins in a row , having failed to win their opening six games, now sit just three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Hopefuls?

This is a particularly tough proposition to address. The historical record, the traditional standing of Villa, suggests not. Furthermore, they've rarely been completely commanding in many games, despite the fact the positive results have stacked up.

According to statistical analysis, twice all season has the side had an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a side that have strung together 10 in a row, Villa seem weirdly vulnerable – but at the moment the margins are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach appears to be to trade blows with rivals before hoping their star man to bail them out with two clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired in London, and again when facing Manchester United.

The initial strike stemmed from a brilliant finish, bent precisely inside the upright from the edge of the area. For his second was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

“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 registered more efforts and more direct attempts. The team has won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those games.

A reversion to average could be the greatest opponent Villa have to face in the near future. Rogers, surely, cannot keep on drilling the ball past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be a different scenario where, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures may yet rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
• The attacking talent could transform into the performer he was in Germany.
• The defensive duo are due to regain fitness, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a genuine bid, but they surely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. Nobody thought the team would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt two months ago, few could imagine the midfielder by the end of the year would be leading a hunt for the title while looking like a vital England player.

This winning streak should be enjoyed for the very reason that it appears so improbable. When the hero faced the North End when the game ended conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and should be relished.