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Just 60 days in the past when the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while his coach berated him for not reading a pass in behind. Back then, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, the question was if his performances were a symptom or the reason for the team's wider issues.

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

This weekend, though, the touchline reaction proved to be much more joyous. After the in-form star curled home his second strike to restore Villa's lead, Emery discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team continued to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win their opening six fixtures, are somehow a mere three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Serious Hopefuls?

That’s a particularly tough proposition to address. Past precedent, the perceived status of the club, argues against it. Furthermore, they have not been entirely convincing during this run, even as the victories have stacked up.

According to statistical analysis, in only two games has the team had an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a team who have just won 10 in a row, they look strangely fragile – however currently the margins are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with an opponent and wait for their talisman to save the day with a couple of precise efforts. This was the case at Leeds, it occurred in London, and it happened versus Manchester United.

His opener stemmed from a superb shot, bent right inside the goal frame from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a slight scruffier version of goal number one capitalizing 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?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opponents managed a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. The team has won each of their last eight by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean might be the greatest opponent Villa will encounter in the near future. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot keep on drilling his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is another reality where, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins might resume scoring again.
• The attacking talent could transform into the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually regain fitness, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defence.

This could contain the potential of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt two months ago, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be spearheading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a vital England player.

This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As the hero positioned himself before the home supporters at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. Such periods do not happen often and must be appreciated.