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This surely should not continue. It makes no sense for it to persist. Yet, persist it does.

A Historic Triumph Against the Odds

Aston Villa entered the weekend's top-flight encounter at Chelsea aiming for a historic record of 11 consecutive wins, matching runs set in the distant past. For the opening hour, achieving it seemed improbable, as Chelsea controlled proceedings, secured the lead, and might have added several more. However, Chelsea are frailty when ahead, especially at home, while Villa have cultivated a remarkable habit of securing away victories from losing positions.

First, the striker leveled the scores, the ball ricocheting in off his shin and the post after his initial shot was saved by the goalkeeper. Later on, he secured the decisive goal with a deft header. This marked just his fourth and fifth league goals of the campaign. Watkins might believe a bit of luck was due, and it's undeniable the equalizing goal had a significant element of luck. Currently, though, Lady Luck is smiling on Villa.

The Statistics Of an Implausible Run

Nine of these 11 straight wins have been by a solitary goal. They have kept a shutout in only one of those games. Their underlying metrics have been better in just six of those encounters, and in a couple of those, the advantage was minimal. Their last five away Premier League victories have all come from behind. This formula seems unsustainable, yet observers have been claiming that for some time, and Villa continue winning. The central question is whether their results will eventually match their performances or if their performances can improve to match the points haul.

This seems unsustainable be sustainable, but everyone has been saying that for weeks and Villa keep on winning.

A Defining Trait: Resilience

Fighting back is not just a trait of the current campaign. Over the past three seasons, no side has won more points when trailing than Villa's 54; 18 of those were secured this season, fifty percent more than the next best team, Sunderland. This season, Villa players from the bench have scored 9 goals. Two key observations can be made about Villa under their manager.

• Firstly, they possess a deep-rooted confidence that means no deficit ever feels insurmountable. This is, to an extent, a virtuous cycle: the more they achieve comebacks, the more they are convinced they can do it again.
• Second, Emery has proven very skilled at influencing games with his substitutions.

The Emery Effect

While Chelsea won the xG battle 2.1 to 1.4, Villa were dominant from the moment, around the hour mark, when Emery made a triple change. Watkins came on for Donyell Malen, who had found it difficult with few chances. Immediately, the ball was held up better, and Watkins's movement in behind caused problems. Onana and Jadon Sancho also entered, strengthening the center and providing the flank presence they had lacked earlier.

The Blues registered ten attempts to Villa's none before the changes; following them, Villa had eleven opportunities to Chelsea's 4. By the final whistle, Villa were in control and could have won more comfortably. Once again, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca struggled to respond as the game turned against him; the impression remains that he is more proficient at devising a tactical plan with preparation time than making adjustments in the moment.

Individual Brilliance

Villa have also developed a welcome habit of individuals producing pieces of sensational quality to alter games. Morgan Rogers has scored crucial goals at Leeds, West Ham, and against Manchester United. The image of him shifting the ball onto his right foot and whipping a finish home has become a seasonal theme. It was Malen who transformed 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 key. At present, it's not always the entire team playing flawlessly, but enough individuals within it stepping up to earn the victories.

The Road Ahead

Can they keep going? They now sit three points behind the league leaders, and as the season nears its midway point, they have to be viewed as in the title race, 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 beat Arsenal on the first weekend of December, a match in which they not only won the xG but posted an xG forty percent higher than any other side has managed against Arsenal in the league this season.

Arsenal have since put together their own run of single-goal victories, winning 3 in a row without ever being entirely convincing. The upcoming clash will be a test for both teams – and if Villa secure a 12th game in a row, it would become increasingly difficult to dismiss their title credentials.