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Just eight weeks prior that the Villa attacker found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as the Villa manager berated him over missing a pass in behind. Back then, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, the question was if his performances were a sign or the source for the team's more general malaise.

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

On Sunday, in contrast, the sideline response was decidedly more positive. After the England international swept in his second strike to reinstate Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician discarded his coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The Birmingham club were on their way to a 10th successive win , despite not winning their opening six games, are somehow a mere three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?

It remains a rather hard question to address. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Moreover, their performances haven't been completely commanding during this run, even as the victories have accumulated.

As per Opta, in only two games has the team registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a side which has just won a ten-match winning streak, they seem curiously susceptible – yet currently the margins are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy looks like to trade blows with rivals and then rely on their talisman to rescue them with two precise efforts. This occurred at Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again against Manchester United.

His opener came from an exquisite effort, bent right inside the goal frame from a wide position. The follow-up goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

“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?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opponents registered a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all but one of those games.

Regression to the mean could be the greatest opponent they will encounter over the coming weeks. Their key man, surely, will not continue to thrashing the football past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists an alternative path where, rather than luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures may yet return to peak condition.

• The main striker may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The winger might become the player he resembled during his peak.
• The defensive duo are set to return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

This could contain the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would sit 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 at the forefront of a championship pursuit while looking like an essential England player.

The current run must be cherished precisely because it seems so surreal. As the hero positioned himself before the Villa faithful after the match conducting the cheers, he appeared to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These spells are rare in football and should be relished.