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A mere two months prior that the Villa attacker found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as his coach scolded him for not reading a through-ball. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, the question was whether his displays were a symptom or a cause of Villa's broader struggles.

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

On Sunday, though, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. As Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate his side's advantage, the boss ripped off his winter coat, spread his arms and bellowed. The team continued to a 10th successive win and having failed to win any of their first six games, now sit just three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Serious Challengers?

This is a particularly tough proposition to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the victories have accumulated.

As per Opta, in only two games has the side had an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a team that have just won ten consecutive victories, they appear weirdly vulnerable – yet currently the margins are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic looks like to trade blows with an opponent before hoping their star man to rescue them with some precise efforts. This was the case at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and it happened versus the Red Devils.

His opener stemmed from a brilliant finish, bent precisely inside the post from a wide position. The follow-up goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he pounced 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?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, Manchester United managed more shots and more direct attempts. The team has won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those fixtures.

A statistical correction might be the greatest opponent they must confront as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, cannot maintain drilling his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists another reality in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players could still find their top level.

• The centre-forward could start finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent might become the performer he was in Germany.
• The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

This could contain the possibility for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine Rogers by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge while establishing himself as a crucial player for the national team.

This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. As the hero stood in front of the home supporters after the match conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These runs of form are rare in football and should be relished.