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It simply cannot continue. It makes no rational sense that it persists. And yet, it does.

A Record-Chasing Triumph Against the Odds

Aston Villa entered the weekend's top-flight clash at Chelsea looking to equal a club record of 11 consecutive wins, matching runs set in the distant past. For the opening hour, this feat seemed improbable, as Chelsea controlled proceedings, secured the lead, and might have added several more. But, Chelsea are vulnerability when ahead, particularly at home, while Villa have cultivated a remarkable knack of snatching away victories after falling behind.

First, the striker leveled the scores, the ball cannoning in off his leg and the post following his first effort was saved by Robert Sánchez. Subsequently, he secured the winner with a precise header. This marked just his fourth and fifth league goals of the season. The forward might believe some fortune was due, and there's no question the equalizing goal had a large slice of luck. At the moment, though, Lady Luck is smiling on Villa.

The Numbers Behind an Implausible Run

The last nine of these 11 straight wins have been by a single goal. They have managed a clean sheet in just one of those matches. Their underlying metrics have been better in just six of those encounters, 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 pattern seems unsustainable, but observers have been claiming that for weeks, and Villa continue winning. The key question is whether their results will eventually match their performances or if their level of play can improve to match the results.

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

A Defining Characteristic: Belief

Coming from behind is not merely a trait of this season. Over the past 3 seasons, no team has won more points from losing positions than Villa's fifty-four; 18 of those have been secured this term, 50% more than the second-placed team, Sunderland. This season, Villa substitutes have contributed nine goals. Two important points can be made about Villa under their manager.

• Firstly, they possess a deep-rooted confidence that means no deficit ever feels beyond them. This is, to an extent, self-perpetuating: the more they come from behind, the more they are convinced they can do it again.
• Second, Emery has proven exceptionally adept at changing games through his substitutions.

A Masterful Change

While Chelsea had the better of the xG battle 2.1-1.4, Villa were dominant from the moment, around the hour mark, when Emery executed a triple change. Ollie Watkins replaced Malen, who had struggled with limited service. Immediately, the ball was held up better, and Watkins's movement in behind created issues. Amadou Onana and Jadon Sancho also came on, bolstering the midfield and adding the width they had eschewed earlier.

Chelsea had ten attempts to Villa's none before the changes; afterwards, Villa created eleven opportunities to Chelsea's four. By the end, Villa were in control and could have won by a greater margin. Not for the first time, opposing manager Enzo Maresca seemed unable to react as the game slipped away; the sense remains that he is better at implementing a game plan with time to prepare than making adjustments on the fly.

Moment of Magic

Villa have cultivated a happy habit of players producing moments of sensational quality to turn games. Rogers has been decisive at Leeds, West Ham, and against Manchester United. The image of him working the ball onto his right foot and whipping a finish into the top corner has become a seasonal theme. It was the winger who transformed the game from the bench at Leeds. Watkins swung the game at Stamford Bridge. The contributions of players such as Konsa and Viktor Lindelof on Saturday were key. Right now, it's not always the entire team playing brilliantly, but enough individuals 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 approaches its halfway stage, they have to be considered as part of the title race, certainly more so than teams like Chelsea or defending champions Liverpool. Tuesday's away game at Arsenal will be a significant examination of that status. Villa defeated Arsenal earlier this month, a match in which they not only had better the xG but registered an xG 40% higher than any other side has achieved against Arsenal in the league this season.

Arsenal have since put together their own run of narrow victories, winning 3 in a row without ever being entirely convincing. The upcoming clash will be a test for both teams – and if Villa win a twelfth game in a row, it would become almost impossible to deny their championship pedigree.