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Just eight weeks prior when the young forward found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager admonished him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. Back then, with the team went six without a win, the question was whether his performances were a sign or the source for Villa's broader struggles.

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

In the latest match, however, the touchline reaction proved to be far more favourable. When the in-form star swept in his second to reinstate his side's advantage, Emery discarded his jacket, spread his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club marched on to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their opening six matches, find themselves only three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Hopefuls?

It remains a particularly tough question to resolve. The historical record, the perceived status of this institution, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant in many games, even as the positive results have stacked up.

Per Opta, on just two occasions has the side posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a side that have just won 10 in a row, they seem curiously susceptible – however currently the fine lines are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic seems to be to engage in a shootout with rivals before hoping their talisman to save the day with some clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and it happened versus the Red Devils.

The initial strike stemmed from an exquisite effort, curled just inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, Manchester United had more efforts and more direct attempts. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those matches.

A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent they must confront over the coming weeks. The forward, surely, cannot maintain blasting the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is another reality where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players could still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins could start scoring again.
• The winger might become the player he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering a sometimes shaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a genuine bid, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would be third at Christmas. And most definitely two months ago, no one envisioned the midfielder as the year closed would be spearheading a championship pursuit while looking like an essential player for the national team.

The current run must be cherished precisely because it seems so surreal. When the hero stood in front of the Villa faithful at the final whistle leading the celebrations, it was clear to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.