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This surely should not continue. The logic defies sense that it persists. Yet, persist it does.

A Record-Chasing Triumph Against the Odds

The Claret and Blue army arrived at Saturday's Premier League encounter at Chelsea aiming for a historic record of eleven consecutive wins, a feat last achieved in 1897 and 1914. For much of the match, this feat seemed highly unlikely, as Chelsea controlled proceedings, took the lead, and might have added to their advantage. However, Chelsea are frailty with a lead, especially at home, while Villa have cultivated a remarkable habit of securing away victories after falling behind.

First, Ollie Watkins leveled the scores, the ball ricocheting in off his shin and the post after his first effort was blocked by the goalkeeper. Later on, he nodded in the decisive goal with a precise header. These were just his fourth and fifth league goals of the campaign. Watkins might feel a bit of luck was overdue, and there's no question the equalizing goal had a significant element of good fortune. At the moment, however, fortune seems to be smiling on Villa.

The Numbers Of an Unlikely Run

The last nine of these 11 straight wins were by a solitary goal. They have managed a clean sheet in only one of those games. Their expected goals (xG) have been better in only six of those fixtures, and in a couple of those, the advantage was minimal. Their last five road Premier League victories have all come after conceding first. This pattern seems unsustainable, but pundits have been claiming that for weeks, and Villa continue winning. The central question is whether their results will finally align with their performances or if their performances can rise to justify the results.

This seems unsustainable be sustainable, but everyone has been stating that for a while and Villa keep on winning.

A Defining Trait: Resilience

Fighting back is not just a feature of this season. Over the past three seasons, no side has gained more points from losing positions than Villa's 54; 18 of those were secured this term, 50% more than the next best team, Sunderland. This season, Villa players from the bench have contributed 9 goals. Two important points can be made about Villa under their manager.

• First, they possess a deep-rooted self-belief that means no game ever feels beyond them. This is, in part, a virtuous cycle: the more they come from behind, the more they are convinced they can do it again.
• Secondly, Emery has proven exceptionally adept at changing games through his substitutions.

The Emery Effect

While Chelsea had the better of the expected goals 2.1-1.4, Villa were the dominant force from the moment, just before the hour mark, when Emery executed a triple substitution. Ollie Watkins came on for Malen, who had struggled with limited service. Suddenly, the ball was held up better, and Watkins's movement behind the defensive line caused problems. Amadou Onana and Jadon Sancho also entered, bolstering the midfield and providing the flank presence they had eschewed earlier.

Chelsea had ten attempts to Villa's zero before the substitutions; following them, Villa had eleven opportunities to Chelsea's four. By the final whistle, Villa were in control and could have won more comfortably. Not for the first time, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca seemed unable to respond as the game slipped away; the impression remains that he is more proficient at devising a tactical plan with preparation time than making adjustments in the moment.

Moment of Magic

Villa have also developed a happy habit of players producing moments of sensational quality to turn games. Morgan Rogers has been decisive at Leeds, West Ham, and against Manchester United. The image of him working the ball onto his favored foot and curling a finish home has become a recurring leitmotif. It was Malen who changed the game from the bench at Leeds. Watkins changed the game at Stamford Bridge. The performances of players such as Ezri Konsa and Viktor Lindelof on Saturday were also vital. Right now, it's seldom the entire team playing brilliantly, but enough individuals within it delivering to earn the victories.

The Road Ahead

Will they be able to keep going? They now sit three points behind Arsenal, and as the season nears its halfway stage, they must be viewed as in the championship conversation, certainly more so than teams like Chelsea or reigning title holders Liverpool. Tuesday's away game at Arsenal will be a major examination of that claim. Villa defeated Arsenal on the first weekend of December, a match in which they not only won the xG but registered an xG 40% higher than any other side has achieved against Arsenal in the league this term.

Arsenal have assembled their own run of single-goal victories, winning 3 in a row without ever being wholly convincing. Tuesday will be a challenge for both sides – and if Villa secure a twelfth game in a row, it would become almost impossible to deny their championship pedigree.