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It simply cannot go on. It makes no sense that it persists. Yet, persist it does.

A Historic Victory Defying Expectations

Aston Villa entered the weekend's Premier League encounter at Chelsea looking to equal a historic record of 11 consecutive wins, matching runs set in the distant past. For much of the match, achieving it seemed highly unlikely, as Chelsea controlled proceedings, secured the lead, and might have added several more. But, Chelsea have shown vulnerability when ahead, particularly at home, while Villa now possess a baffling habit of securing away victories after falling behind.

First, the striker leveled the scores, the ball cannoning in off his shin and the post following his initial shot was saved by Robert Sánchez. Later on, he secured the winner 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 it's undeniable the first goal had a large slice of good fortune. Currently, however, Lady Luck seems to be smiling on Villa.

The Statistics Behind an Implausible Streak

The last nine of these 11 straight wins have been by a solitary goal. They have managed a clean sheet in only one of those matches. Their underlying metrics have been better in only six of those fixtures, and in two of those, the margin was minimal. Their last five road Premier League victories have all come from behind. This pattern seems unsustainable, but pundits have been claiming that for weeks, and Villa continue winning. The key question is whether their outcomes will eventually match their performances or if their level of play can improve to justify the results.

This should not be sustainable, but everybody's been stating that for weeks and Villa keep on winning.

A Core Trait: Belief

Fighting back 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 54; Eighteen of those were secured this term, 50% more than the next best team, Sunderland. This season, Villa substitutes have scored nine goals. Two key observations can be made about Villa under Unai Emery.

• First, they possess a profound self-belief that means no game ever feels insurmountable. This is, in part, self-perpetuating: the more they achieve comebacks, the more they are convinced they can do it once more.
• Second, Emery has proven exceptionally adept at influencing games through his substitutions.

The Emery Effect

While Chelsea had the better of the xG battle 2.1-1.4, Villa were the dominant force from the moment, around the hour mark, when Emery made a triple substitution. Ollie Watkins came on for Donyell Malen, who had found it difficult with limited service. Immediately, the ball was held up better, and Watkins's movement in behind caused problems. Amadou Onana and Sancho also came on, bolstering the midfield and adding the width they had eschewed earlier.

The Blues registered ten attempts to Villa's zero before the changes; afterwards, Villa created eleven opportunities to Chelsea's four. By the end, Villa were commanding and could have won more comfortably. Not for the first time, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca seemed unable to respond as the game turned against him; the impression remains that he is better at devising a tactical plan with preparation time than making adjustments in the moment.

Individual Brilliance

Villa have also developed a happy habit of individuals producing pieces of match-winning quality to turn games. Rogers has been decisive at Leeds, West Ham, and against Manchester United. The sight of him working the ball onto his right foot and curling a finish into the top corner has become a recurring theme. It was Malen 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. At present, it's not always the whole side playing flawlessly, but sufficient individuals within it stepping up 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 approaches its halfway stage, they have to be considered as in the title race, certainly more so than teams like Chelsea or defending champions Liverpool. The upcoming away game at Arsenal will be a significant examination of that claim. Villa beat Arsenal on the first weekend of December, a match in which they not only won the xG but registered an xG forty percent higher than any other side has managed against Arsenal in the league this term.

Arsenal have assembled their own run of single-goal victories, winning three in a row without ever being entirely convincing. The upcoming clash will be a test for both sides – and if Villa win a 12th game in a row, it would become almost impossible to deny their championship pedigree.