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Just two months in the past when the young forward found himself on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager admonished him over missing a pass in behind. During that period, as the club went six without a win, the question was whether his performances were a sign or a cause for the team's wider issues.

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

This weekend, though, the sideline response was far more favourable. When the England international swept in his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, Emery discarded his jacket, spread his arms and bellowed. The team were on their way to a 10th successive win and after failing to win any of their first six matches, find themselves only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Title Contenders?

This is a rather hard question to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, argues against it. Additionally, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, even as the positive results have stacked up.

According to the data, on just two occasions has the team registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a side who have strung together ten consecutive victories, they seem weirdly vulnerable – but right now the margins are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy seems to be to trade blows with the opposition before hoping their talisman to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. This was the case at Leeds, it occurred in London, and again against United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a superb shot, arced precisely inside the upright from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of the opener as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Logic says not. In the recent win, Manchester United had more shots and more efforts on goal. They have won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those matches.

A reversion to average could be the biggest rival they have to face in the near future. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to blasting the ball into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists a different scenario whereby, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs may yet return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward could start scoring again.
• The attacking talent might become the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the possibility of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. Nobody thought the team would be in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine Rogers now would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial England player.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed exactly since it appears so improbable. As Rogers faced the North End when the game ended conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.