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It simply cannot continue. The logic defies rational sense for it to persist. Yet, persist it does.

A Record-Chasing Victory Defying Expectations

The Claret and Blue army arrived at the weekend's Premier League clash at Chelsea looking to equal a historic record of 11 consecutive wins, a feat last achieved in 1897 and 1914. For much of the match, this feat seemed improbable, as the hosts dominated proceedings, took the lead, and could have added to their advantage. But, Chelsea have shown frailty with a lead, especially at home, while Villa have cultivated a remarkable habit of securing wins on the road after falling behind.

First, Ollie Watkins leveled the scores, the ball cannoning in off his shin and the post following his first effort was saved by the goalkeeper. Later on, he nodded in the winner with a deft header. These were just his fourth and fifth league goals of the campaign. Watkins might feel some fortune was due, and it's undeniable the first goal had a large slice of luck. Currently, however, Lady Luck is smiling on Villa.

The Statistics Of an Unlikely Run

The last nine of these eleven straight wins were by a solitary goal. They have managed a clean sheet in just one of those games. Their expected goals (xG) have been superior in just six of those fixtures, and in a couple of those, the margin was 0.2 or less. Their last five away Premier League victories have all come after conceding first. This formula should not, but observers have been claiming that for some time, and Villa keep on winning. The key question is whether their results will finally match their performances or if their performances can rise to match the points haul.

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

A Core Trait: Belief

Fighting back is not merely a feature of this season. Over the past three seasons, no team has gained more points from losing positions than Villa's 54; 18 of those were secured this term, fifty percent more than the second-placed team, Sunderland. This season, Villa substitutes have contributed nine goals. Two important observations can be made about Villa under their manager.

• Firstly, they possess a deep-rooted self-belief that means no game ever feels insurmountable. This is, in part, a virtuous cycle: the more they achieve comebacks, the more they are convinced they can do it once more.
• Second, Emery has proven very adept at influencing games with his use of the bench.

A Masterful Change

While Chelsea had the better of the xG battle 2.1 to 1.4, Villa were dominant from the moment, just before the hour mark, when Emery executed a triple substitution. Ollie Watkins came on for Malen, who had struggled with few chances. Suddenly, the ball began to stick, and Watkins's movement in behind caused problems. Onana and Sancho also came on, bolstering the center and providing the width they had lacked earlier.

Chelsea had ten attempts to Villa's zero before the substitutions; afterwards, Villa created 11 chances to Chelsea's 4. By the final whistle, Villa were in control and could have won by a greater margin. Once again, opposing manager Enzo Maresca struggled to respond as the game slipped away; the impression remains that he is more proficient at devising a game plan with time to prepare than adapting in the moment.

Individual Brilliance

Villa have cultivated a happy habit of players producing moments of match-winning quality to turn games. Morgan Rogers has scored crucial goals at Leeds, West Ham, and against Manchester United. The image of him shifting the ball onto his favored foot and whipping a finish into the top corner has become a seasonal leitmotif. It was the winger who transformed the game after coming on at Leeds. The striker swung the game at Stamford Bridge. The contributions of players such as Konsa and Viktor Lindelof on Saturday were key. At present, it's not always the whole side playing brilliantly, but enough players within it delivering to earn the victories.

What Comes Next?

Will they be able to keep going? They now sit three points behind the league leaders, and as the season nears its halfway stage, they must be considered as in the title race, arguably more so than club world champions Chelsea or reigning title holders Liverpool. Tuesday's away fixture at Arsenal will be a significant examination of that claim. Villa defeated Arsenal earlier this month, a match in which they not only had better the xG but registered an xG forty percent higher than any other side has managed against Arsenal in the league this season.

The Gunners have assembled their own run of single-goal victories, winning three in a row without ever being wholly convincing. The upcoming clash will be a test for both sides – and if Villa secure a twelfth game in a row, it would become increasingly difficult to dismiss their title credentials.